Prophetia Danielis, 13

1. Et erat vir habitans in Ba bylone, et nomen eius Ioa chim;

1.

2. et accepit uxorem nomine Susannam, filiam Helciae, pulchram nimis et timentem Dominum;

2. And he took a wife named Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord.

3. parentes enim illius, cum essent iusti, erudierunt filiam suam secundum legem Moysis.

3. Her parents were righteous, and had taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.

4. Erat autem Ioachim dives valde, et erat ei pomerium vicinum domui suae; et ad ipsum confluebant Iudaei, eo quod esset honorabilior omnium.

4. Joakim was very rich, and had a spacious garden adjoining his house; and the Jews used to come to him because he was the most honored of them all.

5. Et constituti sunt de populo duo senes iudices in anno illo, de quibus locutus est Dominus quia egressa est iniquitas de Babylone a senibus iudicibus, qui videbantur regere populum.

5. In that year two elders from the people were appointed as judges. Concerning them the Lord had said: "Iniquity came forth from Babylon, from elders who were judges, who were supposed to govern the people."

6. Isti frequentabant domum Ioachim, et veniebant ad eos omnes, qui habebant iudicia.

6. These men were frequently at Joakim's house, and all who had suits at law came to them.

7. Cum autem populus revertisset per meridiem, ingrediebatur Susanna et deambulabat in pomerio viri sui.

7. When the people departed at noon, Susanna would go into her husband's garden to walk.

8. Et videbant eam duo senes cotidie ingredientem et deambulantem et facti sunt in concupiscentia eius

8. The two elders used to see her every day, going in and walking about, and they began to desire her.

9. et everterunt sensum suum et declinaverunt oculos suos, ut non viderent caelum neque recordarentur iudiciorum iustorum.

9. And they perverted their minds and turned away their eyes from looking to Heaven or remembering righteous judgments.

10. Erant ergo ambo vulnerati amore eius nec indicaverunt sibi vicissim dolorem suum;

10. Both were overwhelmed with passion for her, but they did not tell each other of their distress,

11. erubescebant enim indicare concupiscentiam suam, volentes concumbere cum ea.

11. for they were ashamed to disclose their lustful desire to possess her.

12. Et observabant cotidie sollicitius videre eam. Dixitque alter ad alterum:

12. And they watched eagerly, day after day, to see her.

13. “Eamus domum, quia prandi hora est”. Et egressi recesserunt a se.

13. They said to each other, "Let us go home, for it is mealtime."

14. Cumque revertissent, venerunt in unum et, sciscitantes ab invicem causam, confessi sunt concupiscentiam suam; et tunc in commune statuerunt tempus, quando eam possent invenire solam.

14. And when they went out, they parted from each other. But turning back, they met again; and when each pressed the other for the reason, they confessed their lust. And then together they arranged for a time when they could find her alone.

15. Factum est autem, cum observarent diem aptum, ingressa est aliquando sicut heri et nudiustertius cum duabus solis puellis voluitque lavari in pomerio, aestus quippe erat.

15. Once, while they were watching for an opportune day, she went in as before with only two maids, and wished to bathe in the garden, for it was very hot.

16. Et non erat ibi quisquam, praeter duos senes absconditos et contemplantes eam.

16. And no one was there except the two elders, who had hid themselves and were watching her.

17. Dixit ergo puellis: “Afferte mihi oleum et smegmata et ostia pomerii claudite, ut laver”.

17. She said to her maids, "Bring me oil and ointments, and shut the garden doors so that I may bathe."

18. Et fecerunt, sicut praeceperat; clauseruntque ostia pomerii et egressae sunt per posticium, ut afferrent, quae iusserat; nesciebantque senes intus esse absconditos.

18. They did as she said, shut the garden doors, and went out by the side doors to bring what they had been commanded; and they did not see the elders, because they were hidden.

19. Cum autem egressae essent puellae, surrexerunt duo senes et accurrerunt ad eam et dixerunt:

19. When the maids had gone out, the two elders rose and ran to her, and said:

20. “Ecce ostia pomerii clausa sunt, et nemo nos videt, et in concupiscentia tui sumus; quam ob rem assentire nobis et commiscere nobiscum.

20. "Look, the garden doors are shut, no one sees us, and we are in love with you; so give your consent, and lie with us.

21. Quod si nolueris, dicemus testimonium contra te, quod fuerit tecum iuvenis et ob hanc causam emiseris puellas a te”.

21. If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was with you, and this was why you sent your maids away."

22. Ingemuit Susanna et ait: “Angustiae sunt mihi undique: si enim hoc egero, mors mihi est; si autem non egero, non effugiam manus vestras;

22. Susanna sighed deeply, and said, "I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands.

23. sed melius mihi est absque opere incidere in manus vestras quam peccare in conspectu Domini”.

23. I choose not to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of the Lord."

24. Et exclamavit voce magna Susanna; exclamaverunt autem et senes adversus eam,

24. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and the two elders shouted against her.

25. et, cum cucurrisset unus, aperuit ostia pomerii.

25. And one of them ran and opened the garden doors.

26. Cum ergo audissent clamorem in pomerio famuli domus, irruerunt per posticam, ut viderent quidnam esset ei.

26. When the household servants heard the shouting in the garden, they rushed in at the side door to see what had happened to her.

27. Postquam autem senes locuti sunt sermones suos, erubuerunt servi vehementer, quia numquam dictus fuerat sermo huiuscemodi de Susanna. Et factum est die crastina,

27. And when the elders told their tale, the servants were greatly ashamed, for nothing like this had ever been said about Susanna.

28. cum venisset populus ad virum eius Ioachim, venerunt et duo presbyteri pleni iniqua cogitatione adversum Susannam, ut interficerent eam;

28. The next day, when the people gathered at the house of her husband Joakim, the two elders came, full of their wicked plot to have Susanna put to death.

29. et dixerunt coram populo: “Mittite ad Susannam, filiam Helciae, quae est uxor Ioachim”; et miserunt.

29. They said before the people, "Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, who is the wife of Joakim."

30. Et venit cum parentibus et filiis et universis cognatis suis.

30. So they sent for her. And she came, with her parents, her children, and all her kindred.

31. Porro Susanna erat delicata nimis et pulchra specie.

31. Now Susanna was a woman of great refinement, and beautiful in appearance.

32. At iniqui illi iusserunt, ut discooperiretur — erat enim cooperta — ut satiarentur decore eius.

32. As she was veiled, the wicked men ordered her to be unveiled, that they might feed upon her beauty.

33. Flebant igitur sui et omnes, qui videbant eam.

33. But her family and friends and all who saw her wept.

34. Consurgentes autem duo presbyteri in medio populi, posuerunt manus super caput eius;

34. Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.

35. quae flens suspexit ad caelum: erat enim cor eius fiduciam habens in Domino.

35. And she, weeping, looked up toward heaven, for her heart trusted in the Lord.

36. Et dixerunt presbyteri: “Cum deambularemus in pomerio soli, ingressa est haec cum duabus puellis et clausit ostia pomerii et dimisit puellas;

36. The elders said, "As we were walking in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, shut the garden doors, and dismissed the maids.

37. venitque ad eam adulescens, qui erat absconditus, et concubuit cum ea.

37. Then a young man, who had been hidden, came to her and lay with her.

38. Porro nos cum essemus in angulo pomerii, videntes iniquitatem cucurrimus ad eos et vidimus eos commisceri.

38. We were in a corner of the garden, and when we saw this wickedness we ran to them.

39. Et illum quidem non quivimus comprehendere, quia fortior nobis erat et, apertis ostiis, exilivit.

39. We saw them embracing, but we could not hold the man, for he was too strong for us, and he opened the doors and dashed out.

40. Hanc autem cum apprehendissemus, interrogavimus, quisnam esset adulescens, et noluit indicare nobis. Huius rei testes sumus”.

40. So we seized this woman and asked her who the young man was, but she would not tell us. These things we testify."

41. Credidit eis multitudo quasi senibus populi et iudicibus, et condemnaverunt eam ad mortem.

41. The assembly believed them, because they were elders of the people and judges; and they condemned her to death.

42. Exclamavit autem voce magna Susanna et dixit: “Deus aeterne, qui absconditorum es cognitor, qui nosti omnia antequam fiant,

42. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, "O eternal God, who dost discern what is secret, who art aware of all things before they come to be,

43. tu scis quoniam falsum contra me tulerunt testimonium; et ecce morior, cum nihil horum fecerim, quae isti malitiose composuerunt adversum me”.

43. thou knowest that these men have borne false witness against me. And now I am to die! Yet I have done none of the things that they have wickedly invented against me!"

44. Exaudivit autem Dominus vocem eius.

44. The Lord heard her cry.

45. Cumque duceretur ad mortem, suscitavit Deus spiritum sanctum pueri iunioris, cuius nomen Daniel;

45. And as she was being led away to be put to death, God aroused the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel;

46. et exclamavit voce magna: “Innocens ego sum a sanguine huius”.

46. and he cried with a loud voice, "I am innocent of the blood of this woman."

47. Et conversus omnis populus ad eum dixit: “Quis est iste sermo, quem tu locutus es?”.

47. All the people turned to him, and said, "What is this that you have said?"

48. Qui cum staret in medio eorum, ait: “Sic fatui, filii Israel? Non iudicantes neque, quod verum est, cognoscentes, condemnastis filiam Israel!

48. Taking his stand in the midst of them, he said, "Are you such fools, you sons of Israel? Have you condemned a daughter of Israel without examination and without learning the facts?

49. Revertimini ad iudicium, quia falsum testimonium locuti sunt adversum eam”.

49. Return to the place of judgment. For these men have borne false witness against her."

50. Reversus est ergo omnis populus cum festinatione, et dixerunt ei senes: “Veni et sede in medio nostrum et indica nobis, quia tibi dedit Deus honorem senectutis”.

50. Then all the people returned in haste. And the elders said to him, "Come, sit among us and inform us, for God has given you that right."

51. Et dixit ad eos Daniel: “Separate illos ab invicem procul, et diiudicabo eos”.

51. And Daniel said to them, "Separate them far from each other, and I will examine them."

52. Cum ergo divisi essent alter ab altero, vocavit unum de eis et dixit ad eum: “Inveterate dierum malorum, nunc venerunt peccata tua, quae operabaris prius,

52. When they were separated from each other, he summoned one of them and said to him, "You old relic of wicked days, your sins have now come home, which you have committed in the past,

53. iudicans iudicia iniusta, innocentes opprimens et dimittens noxios, dicente Domino: “Innocentem et iustum non interficies”.

53. pronouncing unjust judgments, condemning the innocent and letting the guilty go free, though the Lord said, `Do not put to death an innocent and righteous person.'

54. Nunc ergo, si vidisti eam, dic sub qua arbore videris eos loquentes sibi”. Qui ait: “Sub schino”.

54. Now then, if you really saw her, tell me this: Under what tree did you see them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under a mastic tree."

55. Dixit autem Daniel: “Recte mentitus es in caput tuum; ecce enim angelus Dei, accepta sententia a Deo, scindet te medium”.

55. And Daniel said, "Very well! You have lied against your own head, for the angel of God has received the sentence from God and will immediately cut you in two."

56. Et amoto eo, iussit adduci alium et dixit ei: “Semen Chanaan et non Iudae, species decepit te, et concupiscentia subvertit cor tuum.

56. Then he put him aside, and commanded them to bring the other. And he said to him, "You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has deceived you and lust has perverted your heart.

57. Sic faciebatis filiabus Israel, et illae timentes loquebantur vobis, sed non filia Iudae sustinuit iniquitatem vestram.

57. This is how you both have been dealing with the daughters of Israel, and they were intimate with you through fear; but a daughter of Judah would not endure your wickedness.

58. Nunc ergo dic mihi sub qua arbore comprehenderis eos colloquentes sibi”. Qui ait: “Sub prino”.

58. Now then, tell me: Under what tree did you catch them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under an evergreen oak."

59. Dixit autem ei Daniel: “Recte mentitus es et tu in caput tuum; manet enim angelus Dei, gladium habens, ut secet te medium et interficiat vos”.

59. And Daniel said to him, "Very well! You also have lied against your own head, for the angel of God is waiting with his sword to saw you in two, that he may destroy you both."

60. Exclamavit itaque omnis coetus voce magna et benedixerunt Deo, qui salvat sperantes in se.

60. Then all the assembly shouted loudly and blessed God, who saves those who hope in him.

61. Et consurrexerunt adversum duos presbyteros — convicerat enim eos Daniel ex ore suo falsum dixisse testimonium — feceruntque eis, sicut male egerant adversum proximum,

61. And they rose against the two elders, for out of their own mouths Daniel had convicted them of bearing false witness;

62. ut facerent secundum legem Moysis; et interfecerunt eos, et salvatus est sanguis innoxius in die illa.

62. and they did to them as they had wickedly planned to do to their neighbor; acting in accordance with the law of Moses, they put them to death. Thus innocent blood was saved that day.

63. Helcias autem et uxor eius laudaverunt Deum pro filia sua Susanna, cum Ioachim marito eius et cognatis omnibus, quia non esset inventa in ea res turpis.

63. And Hilkiah and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, and so did Joakim her husband and all her kindred, because nothing shameful was found in her.

64. Daniel autem factus est magnus in conspectu populi a die illa et deinceps.

64. And from that day onward Daniel had a great reputation among the people.