/Sus/ - Susanna

1There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:

2And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.

3Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.

4Now 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.

5The 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.

6These kept much at Joacim’s house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.

7Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband’s garden to walk.

8And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.

9And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.

10And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief.

11For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.

12Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.

13And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.

14So 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.

15And 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.

16And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.

17Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.

18And 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.

19Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,

20Behold, 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.

21If 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.

22Then 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.

23It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.

24With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.

25Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.

26So 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.

27But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.

28And 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;

29And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim’s wife. And so they sent.

30So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.

31Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.

32And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.

33Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.

34Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.

35And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.

36And 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.

37Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.

38Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.

39And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.

40But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.

41Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.

42Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:

43Thou 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.

44And the Lord heard her voice.

45Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:

46Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.

47Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?

48So 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?

49Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.

50Wherefore 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.

51Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.

52So 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.

53For 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.

54Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.

55And 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.

56So 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.

57Thus 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.

58Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.

59Then 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.

60With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.

61And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:

62And 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.

63Therefore 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.

64From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.

1And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus of Persia received his kingdom.

2And Daniel conversed with the king, and was honoured above all his friends.

3Now the Babylons had an idol, called Bel, and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.

4And the king worshipped it and went daily to adore it: but Daniel worshipped his own God. And the king said unto him, Why dost not thou worship Bel?

5Who answered and said, Because I may not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who hath created the heaven and the earth, and hath sovereignty over all flesh.

6Then said the king unto him, Thinkest thou not that Bel is a living God? seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh every day?

7Then Daniel smiled, and said, O king, be not deceived: for this is but clay within, and brass without, and did never eat or drink any thing.

8So the king was wroth, and called for his priests, and said unto them, If ye tell me not who this is that devoureth these expences, ye shall die.

9But if ye can certify me that Bel devoureth them, then Daniel shall die: for he hath spoken blasphemy against Bel. And Daniel said unto the king, Let it be according to thy word.

10Now the priests of Bel were threescore and ten, beside their wives and children. And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel.

11So Bel’s priests said, Lo, we go out: but thou, O king, set on the meat, and make ready the wine, and shut the door fast and seal it with thine own signet;

12And to morrow when thou comest in, if thou findest not that Bel hath eaten up all, we will suffer death: or else Daniel, that speaketh falsely against us.

13And they little regarded it: for under the table they had made a privy entrance, whereby they entered in continually, and consumed those things.

14So when they were gone forth, the king set meats before Bel. Now Daniel had commanded his servants to bring ashes, and those they strewed throughout all the temple in the presence of the king alone: then went they out, and shut the door, and sealed it with the king’s signet, and so departed.

15Now in the night came the priests with their wives and children, as they were wont to do, and did eat and drink up all.

16In the morning betime the king arose, and Daniel with him.

17And the king said, Daniel, are the seals whole? And he said, Yea, O king, they be whole.

18And as soon as he had opened the dour, the king looked upon the table, and cried with a loud voice, Great art thou, O Bel, and with thee is no deceit at all.

19Then laughed Daniel, and held the king that he should not go in, and said, Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps are these.

20And the king said, I see the footsteps of men, women, and children. And then the king was angry,

21And took the priests with their wives and children, who shewed him the privy doors, where they came in, and consumed such things as were upon the table.

22Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel’s power, who destroyed him and his temple.

23And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped.

24And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this is of brass? lo, he liveth, he eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.

25Then said Daniel unto the king, I will worship the Lord my God: for he is the living God.

26But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave.

27Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon’s mouth, and so the dragon burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship.

28When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath destroyed Bel, he hath slain the dragon, and put the priests to death.

29So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house.

30Now when the king saw that they pressed him sore, being constrained, he delivered Daniel unto them:

31Who cast him into the lions’ den: where he was six days.

32And in the den there were seven lions, and they had given them every day two carcases, and two sheep: which then were not given to them, to the intent they might devour Daniel.

33Now there was in Jewry a prophet, called Habbacuc, who had made pottage, and had broken bread in a bowl, and was going into the field, for to bring it to the reapers.

34But the angel of the Lord said unto Habbacuc, Go, carry the dinner that thou hast into Babylon unto Daniel, who is in the lions’ den.

35And Habbacuc said, Lord, I never saw Babylon; neither do I know where the den is.

36Then the angel of the Lord took him by the crown, and bare him by the hair of his head, and through the vehemency of his spirit set him in Babylon over the den.

37And Habbacuc cried, saying, O Daniel, Daniel, take the dinner which God hath sent thee.

38And Daniel said, Thou hast remembered me, O God: neither hast thou forsaken them that seek thee and love thee.

39So Daniel arose, and did eat: and the angel of the Lord set Habbacuc in his own place again immediately.

40Upon the seventh day the king went to bewail Daniel: and when he came to the den, he looked in, and behold, Daniel was sitting.

41Then cried the king with a loud voice, saying, Great art Lord God of Daniel, and there is none other beside thee.

42And he drew him out, and cast those that were the cause of his destruction into the den: and they were devoured in a moment before his face.

1And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece,

2And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,

3And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up.

4And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.

5And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.

6Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

7So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died.

8And his servants bare rule every one in his place.

9And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth.

10And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

11In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.

12So this device pleased them well.

13Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen:

14Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen:

15And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.

16Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms.

17Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy,

18And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.

19Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof.

20And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,

21And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,

22And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off.

23He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found.

24And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.

25Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were;

26So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.

27Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness,

28The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.

29And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude,

30And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.

31And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side.

32But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.

33Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.

34And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.

35They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:

36For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.

37Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:

38Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.

39Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.

40As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.

41Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,

42And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.

43Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.

44For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land,

45And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:

46And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:

47Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts:

48That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation:

49To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.

50And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.

51In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city.

52Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land;

53And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.

54Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;

55And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.

56And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.

57And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death.

58Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities.

59Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.

60At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.

61And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.

62Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing.

63Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died.

64And there was very great wrath upon Israel.