There dwelt a man in Bâbel, called Yahôyâqı̂ym:
And he took a woman, whose name was Shôshannâh, the daughter of Chilqı̂yâhû, a very fair woman, and one that feared Yahuah.
Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Môsheh.
Now Yahôyâqı̂ym was a great rich man, and had a fair Garden joining unto his house: And to him resorted the Yahûdı̂y; because he was more honorable than all others.
The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as Yahuah spoke of, that wickedness came from Bâbel from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people.
These kept much at Yahôyâqı̂ym's house: And all that had any suits in law came unto them.
Now when the people departed away at noon, Shôshannâh 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, that they might not look unto shâmayim, nor remember just judgments.
And although they both were wounded with her love, yet did not dare to show one another his grief.
For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.
Yet they watched diligently from day today to see her.
And the one said to the other, let us now go home: For it is dinner time.
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: Then they appointed a time both together, when they might find her alone.
And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the Garden: For it was hot.
And there was no body there save the two elders that had hid themselves, and watched her.
Then she said to her maids, bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the Garden doors, that I may wash me.
And they did as she bade them, and shut the Garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: But they did not see the elders, because they were hid.
Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,
Behold, the Garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with you; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.
If you will not, we will bear witness against you that a young man was with you: And therefore you did send away your maids from you.
Then Shôshannâh sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: For if I do this thing, it is death unto me: And if I do not do it I cannot escape your hands.
It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of Yahuah.
With that Shôshannâh cried with a loud voice: And the two elders cried out against her.
Then ran the one, and opened the Garden door.
So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the Garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.
But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: For there was never such a report made of Shôshannâh.
And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Yahôyâqı̂ym, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Shôshannâh to put her to death;
And said before the people, send for Shôshannâh, the daughter of Chilqı̂yâhû, Yahôyâqı̂ym's woman. And so they sent.
So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.
Now Shôshannâh was a very delicate woman, and beautiful to behold.
And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.
Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.
Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.
And she weeping looked up toward shâmayim: For her heart trusted in Yahuah.
And the elders said, as we walked in the Garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the Garden doors, and sent the maids away.
Then a young man, who was hid there, came unto her, and lay with her.
Then we that stood in a corner of the Garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.
And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: For he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.
But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: These things we do testify.
Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: So they condemned her to death.
Then Shôshannâh cried out with a loud voice, and said, O Êlôhîym Ô̂lâm Êl that knows the secrets, and knows all things before they are:
You know that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.
And Yahuah heard her voice.
Therefore when she was led to be put to death, Yahuah raised up the rûach qâdôsh of a young youth whose name was Dânı̂yêl:
Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.
Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, what do these words mean that you have spoken?
So he standing in the midst of them said, are you such fools, you sons of Yâshârêl, that without examination or knowledge of the truth you have condemned a daughter of Yâshârêl?
Return again to the place of judgment: For they have borne false witness against her.
Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, come, sit down among us, and show it us, seeing Êlôhîym has given you the honor of an elder.
Then Dânı̂yêl said unto them, put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.
So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O you that are waxen old in wickedness, now your sins which you have committed beforetime are come to light.
For you have pronounced false judgment and have condemned the innocent and have let the guilty go free; although Yahuah says, the innocent and righteous you shall not slay.
Now then, if you have seen her, tell me, under what tree you saw them companying together? Who answered, under a mastic tree.
And Dânı̂yêl said, very well; you have lied against your own head; for even now the angel of Êlôhîym has received the sentence of Êlôhîym to cut you in two.
So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O you seed of Kenaan, and not of Yahûdâh, beauty has deceived you, and lust has perverted your heart.
Thus you have dealt with the daughters of Yâshârêl, and they for fear companied with you: But the daughter of Yahûdâh would not abide your wickedness.
Now therefore tell me, under what tree did you take them companying together? Who answered, under a holm tree.
Then Dânı̂yêl said unto him, well; you have also lied against your own head: For the angel of Êlôhîym waits with the sword to cut you in two, that he may destroy you.
With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised Êlôhîym, who saves them that trust in him.
And they arose against the two elders, for Dânı̂yêl had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:
And according to the law of Môsheh they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbor: And they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.
Therefore Chilqı̂yâhû and his woman praised Êlôhîym for their daughter Shôshannâh, with Yahôyâqı̂ym her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.
From that day forth was Dânı̂yêl had in great reputation in the sight of the people.
