There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joakim.


And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very fair woman and one who feared the Lord.Her parents also were righteous and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.

Now Joakim was a great rich man and had a beautiful garden next to his house; and the Jews turned to him for help, because he was more honorable than all others.

The same year, two of the elders of the people were appointed to be judges, such ones as the Lord spoke of, "Wickedness came from Babylon, from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people."These spent much time at Joakim's house, and all those who had any lawsuits came to them.

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

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

And they perverted their own mind and turned away their eyes, so that they would not look to heaven, nor remember just judgments.

And although they both were wounded with her love, yet each dared not show the other his grief.

To Be Continued

© Izuuchukwu Stanley