# The Book of Susanna [in Daniel]

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

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> The Book of Susanna [in Daniel]
> [The History of Susanna [in Daniel]]
> 
> Set apart from the beginning of Daniel, because it is not in
> the Hebrew, as neither the Narration of Bel and the Dragon.
> 
> Sus 1
> There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:
> 
> 2
> And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of
> Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.
> 
> 3
> Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter
> according to the law of Moses.
> 
> 4
> Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden
> joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he
> was more honourable than all others.
> 
> 5
> The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the
> people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness
> came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the
> people.
> 
> 6
> These kept much at Joacim's house: and all that had any suits
> in law came unto them.
> 
> 7
> Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into
> her husband's garden to walk.
> 
> 8
> And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking;
> so that their lust was inflamed toward her.
> 
> 9
> And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their
> eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just
> judgments.
> 
> 10
> And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst
> not one shew another his grief.
> 
> 11
> For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they
> desired to have to do with her.
> 
> 12
> Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.
> 
> 13
> And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is
> dinner time.
> 
> 14
> So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the
> other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and
> after that they had asked one another the cause, they
> acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both
> together, when they might find her alone.
> 
> 15
> And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as
> before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself
> in the garden: for it was hot.
> 
> 16
> And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid
> themselves, and watched her.
> 
> 17
> Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls,
> and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.
> 
> 18
> And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and
> went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she
> had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they
> were hid.
> 
> 19
> Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up,
> and ran unto her, saying,
> 
> 20
> Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us,
> and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie
> with us.
> 
> 21
> If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a
> young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy
> maids from thee.
> 
> 22
> Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side:
> for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not
> I cannot escape your hands.
> 
> 23
> It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it,
> than to sin in the sight of the Lord.
> 
> 24
> With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders
> cried out against her.
> 
> 25
> Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.
> 
> 26
> So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the
> garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done
> unto her.
> 
> 27
> But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants
> were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of
> Susanna.
> 
> 28
> And it came to pass the next day, when the people were
> assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full
> of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;
> 
> 29
> And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of
> Chelcias, Joacim's wife. And so they sent.
> 
> 30
> So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all
> her kindred.
> 
> 31
> Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to
> behold.
> 
> 32
> And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she
> was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.
> 
> 33
> Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.
> 
> 34
> Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and
> laid their hands upon her head.
> 
> 35
> And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart
> trusted in the Lord.
> 
> 36
> And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this
> woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and
> sent the maids away.
> 
> 37
> Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay
> with her.
> 
> 38
> Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this
> wickedness, ran unto them.
> 
> 39
> And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for
> he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.
> 
> 40
> But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was,
> but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.
> 
> 41
> Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders
> and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.
> 
> 42
> Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O
> everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all
> things before they be:
> 
> 43
> Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me,
> and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as
> these men have maliciously invented against me.
> 
> 44
> And the Lord heard her voice.
> 
> 45
> Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord
> raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was
> Daniel:
> 
> 46
> Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of
> this woman.
> 
> 47
> Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What
> mean these words that thou hast spoken?
> 
> 48
> So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools,
> ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the
> truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?
> 
> 49
> Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne
> false witness against her.
> 
> 50
> Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the
> elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us,
> seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.
> 
> 51
> Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from
> another, and I will examine them.
> 
> 52
> So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one
> of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in
> wickedness, now thy sins which thou hast committed aforetime are
> come to light.
> 
> 53
> For thou hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned
> the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord
> saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.
> 
> 54
> Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree
> sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a
> mastick tree.
> 
> 55
> And Daniel said, Very well; thou hast lied against thine own
> head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence
> of God to cut thee in two.
> 
> 56
> So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and
> said unto him, O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty
> hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.
> 
> 57
> Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for
> fear companied with you: but the daughter of Juda would not
> abide your wickedness.
> 
> 58
> Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them
> companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.
> 
> 59
> Then said Daniel unto him, Well; thou hast also lied against
> thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to
> cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.
> 
> 60
> With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and
> praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.
> 
> 61
> And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had
> convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:
> 
> 62
> And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such
> sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and
> they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the
> same day.
> 
> 63
> Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their
> daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred,
> because there was no dishonesty found in her.
> 
> 64
> From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the
> sight of the people.
>
> — *The Book of Susanna [in Daniel]*