1
Now there was a man that dwelt in Babylon, and his name was Joakim:
2
And he took a wife whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helcias, a very beautiful woman, and one that feared God.
3
For her parents being just, had instructed their daughter according to the law of Moses.
4
Now Joakim was very rich, and had an orchard near his house: and the Jews resorted to him, because he was the most honourable of them all.
5
And there were two of the ancients of the people appointed judges that year, of whom the Lord said: Iniquity came out from Babylon from the ancient judges, that seemed to govern the people.
6
These men frequented the house of Joakim, and all that had any matters of judgment came to them.
7
And when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went in, and walked in her husband's orchard.
8
And the old men saw her going in every day, and walking: and they were inflamed with lust towards 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
So they were both wounded with the love of her, yet they did not make known their grief one to the other: