Daniele 13

NOVA VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Et erat vir habitans in Ba bylone, et nomen eius Ioa chim;	1 In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim.
2 et accepituxorem nomine Susannam, filiam Helciae, pulchram nimis et timentem Dominum;	2 He was married to a woman called Susanna daughter of Hilkiah, a woman of great beauty; and shewas God-fearing, for
3 parentes enim illius, cum essent iusti, erudierunt filiam suam secundum legemMoysis.	3 her parents were worthy people and had instructed their daughter in the Law of Moses.
4 Erat autem Ioachim dives valde, et erat ei pomerium vicinum domuisuae; et ad ipsum confluebant Iudaei, eo quod esset honorabilior omnium.	4 Joakim was a very rich man and had a garden by his house; he used to be visited by a considerablenumber of the Jews, since he was held in greater respect than any other man.
5 Etconstituti sunt de populo duo senes iudices in anno illo, de quibus locutus estDominus quia egressa est iniquitas de Babylone a senibus iudicibus, quividebantur regere populum.	5 Two elderly men had been selected from the people, that year, to act as judges. Of such the Lord hadsaid, 'Wickedness has come to Babylon through the elders and judges posing as guides to the people.'
6 Isti frequentabant domum Ioachim, et veniebant adeos omnes, qui habebant iudicia.	6 These men were often at Joakim's house, and all who were engaged in litigation used to come tothem.
7 Cum autem populus revertisset per meridiem,ingrediebatur Susanna et deambulabat in pomerio viri sui.	7 At midday, when the people had gone away, Susanna would take a walk in her husband's garden.
8 Et videbant eam duosenes cotidie ingredientem et deambulantem et facti sunt in concupiscentia eius	8 The two elders, who used to watch her every day as she came in to take her walk, gradual y began todesire her.
9 et everterunt sensum suum et declinaverunt oculos suos, ut non viderent caelumneque recordarentur iudiciorum iustorum.	9 They threw reason aside, making no effort to turn their eyes to Heaven, and forgetting the demands ofvirtue.
10 Erant ergo ambo vulnerati amore eiusnec indicaverunt sibi vicissim dolorem suum;	10 Both were inflamed by passion for her, but they hid their desire from each other,
11 erubescebant enim indicareconcupiscentiam suam, volentes concumbere cum ea.	11 for they were ashamed to admit the longing to sleep with her,
12 Et observabant cotidiesollicitius videre eam. Dixitque alter ad alterum:	12 but they made sure of watching her every day.
13 “ Eamus domum, quiaprandi hora est ”. Et egressi recesserunt a se.	13 One day, having parted with the words, 'Let us go home, then, it is time for the midday meal,' theywent off in different directions,
14 Cumque revertissent,venerunt in unum et, sciscitantes ab invicem causam, confessi suntconcupiscentiam suam; et tunc in commune statuerunt tempus, quando eam possentinvenire solam.	14 only to retrace their steps and find themselves face to face again. Obliged then to explain, theyadmitted their desire and agreed to look for an opportunity of surprising her alone.
15 Factum est autem, cum observarent diem aptum, ingressa est aliquando sicutheri et nudiustertius cum duabus solis puellis voluitque lavari in pomerio,aestus quippe erat.	15 So they waited for a favourable moment; and one day Susanna came as usual, accompanied only bytwo young maidservants. The day was hot and she wanted to bathe in the garden.
16 Et non erat ibi quisquam, praeter duos senes absconditoset contemplantes eam.	16 There was no one about except the two elders, spying on her from their hiding place.
17 Dixit ergo puellis: “ Afferte mihi oleum et smegmataet ostia pomerii claudite, ut laver ”.	17 She said to the servants, 'Bring me some oil and balsam and shut the garden door while I bathe.'
18 Et fecerunt, sicut praeceperat;clauseruntque ostia pomerii et egressae sunt per posticium, ut afferrent, quaeiusserat; nesciebantque senes intus esse absconditos.	18 They did as they were told, shutting the garden door and going back to the house by a side entranceto fetch what she had asked for; they knew nothing about the elders, for they had concealed themselves.
19 Cum autem egressaeessent puellae, surrexerunt duo senes et accurrerunt ad eam et dixerunt:	19 Hardly were the maids gone than the two elders sprang up and rushed upon her.
20 “Ecce ostia pomerii clausa sunt, et nemo nos videt, et in concupiscentia tuisumus; quam ob rem assentire nobis et commiscere nobiscum.	20 'Look,' they said, 'the garden door is shut, no one can see us. We want to have you, so give in andlet us!
21 Quod si nolueris,dicemus testimonium contra te, quod fuerit tecum iuvenis et ob hanc causamemiseris puellas a te ”.	21 Refuse, and we shal both give evidence that a young man was with you and that this was why yousent your maids away.'
22 Ingemuit Susanna et ait: “ Angustiae sunt mihiundique: si enim hoc egero, mors mihi est; si autem non egero, non effugiammanus vestras;	22 Susanna sighed. 'I am trapped,' she said, 'whatever I do. If I agree, it means death for me; if I resist, Icannot get away from you.
23 sed melius mihi est absque opere incidere in manus vestrasquam peccare in conspectu Domini ”.	23 But I prefer to fal innocent into your power than to sin in the eyes of the Lord.'
24 Et exclamavit voce magna Susanna;exclamaverunt autem et senes adversus eam,	24 She then cried out as loud as she could. The two elders began shouting too, putting the blame onher,
25 et, cum cucurrisset unus, aperuitostia pomerii.	25 and one of them ran to open the garden door.
26 Cum ergo audissent clamorem in pomerio famuli domus, irruerunt per posticam,ut viderent quidnam esset ei.	26 The household, hearing the shouting in the garden, rushed out by the side entrance to see what hadhappened to her.
27 Postquam autem senes locuti sunt sermones suos,erubuerunt servi vehementer, quia numquam dictus fuerat sermo huiuscemodi deSusanna. Et factum est die crastina,	27 Once the elders had told their story, the servants were thoroughly taken aback, since nothing of thissort had ever been said of Susanna.
28 cum venisset populus ad virum eiusIoachim, venerunt et duo presbyteri pleni iniqua cogitatione adversum Susannam,ut interficerent eam;	28 Next day a meeting was held at the house of her husband Joakim. The two elders arrived, ful of theirwicked plea against Susanna, to have her put to death.
29 et dixerunt coram populo: “ Mittite ad Susannam,filiam Helciae, quae est uxor Ioachim ”; et miserunt.	29 They addressed the company, 'Summon Susanna daughter of Hilkiah and wife of Joakim.' She wassent for,
30 Et venit cumparentibus et filiis et universis cognatis suis.	30 and came accompanied by her parents, her children and al her relations.
31 Porro Susanna erat delicatanimis et pulchra specie.	31 Susanna was very graceful and beautiful to look at;
32 At iniqui illi iusserunt, ut discooperiretur —erat enim cooperta — ut satiarentur decore eius.	32 she was veiled, so the wretches made her unveil in order to feast their eyes on her beauty.
33 Flebant igitur sui etomnes, qui videbant eam.	33 Al her own people were weeping, and so were al the others who saw her.
34 Consurgentes autem duo presbyteri in medio populi,posuerunt manus super caput eius;	34 The two elders stood up, with al the people round them, and laid their hands on her head.
35 quae flens suspexit ad caelum: erat enimcor eius fiduciam habens in Domino.	35 Tearful y she turned her eyes to Heaven, her heart confident in God.
36 Et dixerunt presbyteri: “ Cumdeambularemus in pomerio soli, ingressa est haec cum duabus puellis et clausitostia pomerii et dimisit puellas;	36 The elders then spoke, 'While we were walking by ourselves in the garden, this woman arrived withtwo maids. She shut the garden door and then dismissed the servants.
37 venitque ad eam adulescens, qui eratabsconditus, et concubuit cum ea.	37 A young man, who had been hiding, went over to her and they lay together.
38 Porro nos cum essemus in angulo pomerii,videntes iniquitatem cucurrimus ad eos et vidimus eos commisceri.	38 From the end of the garden where we were, we saw this crime taking place and hurried towardsthem.
39 Et illumquidem non quivimus comprehendere, quia fortior nobis erat et, apertis ostiis,exilivit.	39 Though we saw them together, we were unable to catch the man: he was too strong for us; heopened the door and took to his heels.
40 Hanc autem cum apprehendissemus, interrogavimus, quisnam essetadulescens, et noluit indicare nobis. Huius rei testes sumus ”.	40 We did, however, catch this woman and ask her who the young man was.
41 Crediditeis multitudo quasi senibus populi et iudicibus, et condemnaverunt eam admortem.	41 She refused to tel us. That is our evidence.' Since they were elders of the people and judges, theassembly accepted their word: Susanna was condemned to death.
42 Exclamavit autem voce magna Susanna et dixit: “ Deus aeterne, quiabsconditorum es cognitor, qui nosti omnia antequam fiant,	42 She cried out as loud as she could, 'Eternal God, you know all secrets and everything before ithappens;
43 tu scis quoniamfalsum contra me tulerunt testimonium; et ecce morior, cum nihil horum fecerim,quae isti malitiose composuerunt adversum me ”.	43 you know that they have given false evidence against me. And now I must die, innocent as I am ofeverything their malice has invented against me!'
44 Exaudivit autem Dominus vocem eius.	44 The Lord heard her cry
45 Cumque duceretur ad mortem, suscitavitDeus spiritum sanctum pueri iunioris, cuius nomen Daniel;	45 and, as she was being led away to die, he roused the holy spirit residing in a young boy called Daniel
46 et exclamavit vocemagna: “ Innocens ego sum a sanguine huius ”.	46 who began to shout, 'I am innocent of this woman's death!'
47 Et conversus omnis populusad eum dixit: “ Quis est iste sermo, quem tu locutus es? ”.	47 At this al the people turned to him and asked, 'What do you mean by that?'
48 Qui cumstaret in medio eorum, ait: “ Sic fatui, filii Israel? Non iudicantes neque,quod verum est, cognoscentes, condemnastis filiam Israel!	48 Standing in the middle of the crowd, he replied, 'Are you so stupid, children of Israel, as to condemna daughter of Israel unheard, and without troubling to find out the truth?
49 Revertimini adiudicium, quia falsum testimonium locuti sunt adversum eam ”.	49 Go back to the scene of the trial: these men have given false evidence against her.'
50 Reversus estergo omnis populus cum festinatione, et dixerunt ei senes: “ Veni et sede inmedio nostrum et indica nobis, quia tibi dedit Deus honorem senectutis ”.	50 Al the people hurried back, and the elders said to Daniel, 'Come and sit with us and tell us what youmean, since God has given you the gifts that elders have.'
51 Et dixit ad eos Daniel: “ Separate illos ab invicem procul, et diiudicabo eos”.	51 Daniel said, 'Keep the men wel apart from each other, for I want to question them.'
52 Cum ergo divisi essent alter ab altero, vocavit unum de eis et dixit adeum: “ Inveterate dierum malorum, nunc venerunt peccata tua, quae operabarisprius,	52 When the men had been separated, Daniel had one of them brought to him. 'You have grown old inwickedness,' he said, 'and now the sins of your earlier days have overtaken you,
53 iudicans iudicia iniusta, innocentes opprimens et dimittens noxios,dicente Domino: “Innocentem et iustum non interficies”.	53 you with your unjust judgements, your condemnation of the innocent, your acquittal of the guilty,although the Lord has said, "You must not put the innocent and upright to death."
54 Nunc ergo, sividisti eam, dic sub qua arbore videris eos loquentes sibi ”. Qui ait: “ Subschino ”.	54 Now then, since you saw her so clearly, tel me what sort of tree you saw them lying under.' Hereplied, 'Under an acacia tree.'
55 Dixit autem Daniel: “ Recte mentitus es in caput tuum; ecceenim angelus Dei, accepta sententia a Deo, scindet te medium ”.	55 Daniel said, 'Indeed! Your lie recoils on your own head: the angel of God has already received fromhim your sentence and wil cut you in half.'
56 Et amotoeo, iussit adduci alium et dixit ei: “ Semen Chanaan et non Iudae, speciesdecepit te, et concupiscentia subvertit cor tuum.	56 He dismissed the man, ordered the other to be brought and said to him, 'Son of Canaan, not ofJudah, beauty has seduced you, lust has led your heart astray!
57 Sic faciebatis filiabusIsrael, et illae timentes loquebantur vobis, sed non filia Iudae sustinuitiniquitatem vestram.	57 This is how you have been behaving with the daughters of Israel, and they have been too frightenedto resist; but here is a daughter of Judah who could not stomach your wickedness!
58 Nunc ergo dic mihi sub qua arbore comprehenderis eoscolloquentes sibi ”. Qui ait: “ Sub prino ”.	58 Now then, tel me what sort of tree you surprised them under.' He replied, 'Under an aspen tree.'
59 Dixit autem ei Daniel: “ Recte mentitus es ettu in caput tuum; manet enim angelus Dei, gladium habens, ut secet te medium etinterficiat vos ”.	59 Daniel said, 'Indeed! Your lie recoils on your own head: the angel of God is waiting with a sword torend you in half, and destroy the pair of you.'
60 Exclamavit itaque omnis coetus voce magna etbenedixerunt Deo, qui salvat sperantes in se.	60 Then the whole assembly shouted, blessing God, the Saviour of those who trust in him.
61 Et consurrexerunt adversum duospresbyteros — convicerat enim eos Daniel ex ore suo falsum dixisse testimonium— feceruntque eis, sicut male egerant adversum proximum,	61 And they turned on the two elders whom Daniel had convicted of false evidence out of their ownmouths.
62 ut facerentsecundum legem Moysis; et interfecerunt eos, et salvatus est sanguis innoxius indie illa.	62 As the Law of Moses prescribes, they were given the same punishment as they had schemed toinflict on their neighbour. They were put to death. And thus, that day, an innocent life was saved.
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 resturpis.	63 Hilkiah and his wife gave thanks to God for their daughter Susanna, and so did her husband Joakimand all his relations, because she had been acquitted of anything dishonourable.
64 Daniel autem factus est magnus in conspectu populi a die illa etdeinceps.	64 From that day onwards, Daniel's reputation stood high with the people.