1:8 And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that
their lust was inflamed toward her.
1:9 And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that
they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.
1:10 And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one
shew another his grief.
1:11 For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to
have to do with her.
1:12 Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.
1:13 And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is
dinner time.
1:14 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.
1:15 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.
1:16 And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid
themselves, and watched her.
1:17 Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and
shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.
1:18 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.
1:19 Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and
ran unto her, saying,
1:20 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.
1:21 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.
1:22 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.
1:23 It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than
to sin in the sight of the Lord.
1:24 With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders
cried out against her.
1:25 Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.
1:26 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.
1:27 But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were
greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.
1:28 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;
1:29 And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of
Chelcias, Joacim’s wife. And so they sent.
1:30 So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her
kindred.
1:31 Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account