1
There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Joakim.
2
He married the daughter of Hilkiah, named Susanna, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord.
3
Her parents were righteous, and had trained their daughter according to the law of Moses.
4
Joakim was very rich, and had a fine garden adjoining his house; the Jews used to come to him because he was the most honored of them all.
5
That year two elders from the people were appointed as judges. Concerning them the Lord had said: "Wickedness came forth from Babylon, from elders who were judges, who were supposed to govern the people."
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.