1. THERE lived a man in Babylon, and his name was Joakim:
2. and he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helkias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.
3. Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.
4. Now Joakim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining to his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honorable than all others.
5. And the same year there were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spoke of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who were accounted to govern the people.
6. These kept much at Joakim’s house: and all that had any suits in law came to them.
7. Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband’s garden to walk.
8. And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; and they were inflamed with love for her.
9. And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look to heaven, nor remember just judgements.
10. And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet dared not one show another his grief.
11. For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.
12. Yet they watched jealously from day to day to see her.
13. And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.
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: and then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.