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."
6
These men were frequently at Joakim's house, and all who had a case to be tried came to them there.
7
When the people left at noon, Susanna would go into her husband's garden to walk.
8
Every day the two elders used to see her, going in and walking about, and they began to lust for her.
9
They suppressed their consciences and turned away their eyes from looking to Heaven or remembering their duty to administer justice.