First Reading
Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
1Now there was a man that dwelt in Babylon, and his name was Joakim:
2And he took a wife whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helcias, a very beautiful woman, and one that feared God.
3For her parents being righteous, had instructed their daughter according to the law of Moses.
4Now Joakim was very rich, and had an orchard near his house: and the Jews resorted to him, because he was the most honourable of them all.
5And there were two of the leaders of the people appointed judges that year, of whom the Lord said: Sin came out from Babylon from the ancient judges, that seemed to govern the people.
6These men frequented the house of Joakim, and all that had any matters of judgment came to them.
7And when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went in, and walked in her husband's orchard.
8And the old men saw her going in every day, and walking: and they were inflamed with lust towards her:
9And they perverted their own mind and turned away their eyes that they might not look to heaven, nor remember righteous judgments.
15And it fell out, as they watched a fit day, she went in on a time, as yesterday and the day before, with two maids only, and was desirous to wash herself in the orchard: for it was hot weather.
16And there was nobody there, but the two old men that had hid themselves and were beholding her.
17So she said to the maids: Bring me oil, and washing balls, and shut the doors of the orchard, that I may wash me.
19Now when the maids were gone forth, the two leaders arose, and ran to her, and said:
20Look the doors of the orchard are shut, and nobody sees us, and we are in love with you: therefore consent to us, and lie with us.
21But 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.
22Susanna sighed, and said: I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death to me: and if I do it not, I shall not escape your hands.
23But it is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin before the Lord.
24With that Susanna cried out with a loud voice: and the leaders also cried out against her.
25And one of them ran to the door of the orchard, and opened it.
26So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the orchard, they rushed in by the back door to see what was the matter.
27But after the old men had said, the servants were greatly ashamed: for never had there been any such word said of Susanna. And on the next day,
28When the people were come to Joakim her husband, the two leaders also came full of evil device against Susanna, to put her to death.
29And they said before the people: Send to Susanna daughter of Helcias the wife of Joakim. And presently they sent.
30And she came with her parents, and children, and all her kindred.