Daniel (Susana) 1

1Havia um homem chamado Joaquin, que habitava na Babilônia.

1There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:

2Tinha desposado uma mulher chamada Suzana, filha de Helcias, de grande beleza, e piedosa,

2And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.

3porque havia sido educada segundo a Lei de Moisés por pais honestos.

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

4Joaquin era sumamente rico. Junto à sua casa havia um pomar. Os judeus reuniam-se frequentemente em casa dele, porque gozava de uma particular conside­ração entre seus compatriotas.

4Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others.

5Haviam sido nomeados juízes, na­quele ano, dois anciãos do povo, aos quais se aplicava bem a palavra do Senhor: “A iniquidade surgiu, na Babilônia, de anciãos juízes que passavam por dirigentes do povo”.

5The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people.

6Esses dois personagens frequentavam a casa de Joaquin, aonde vinham consultá-los todos aqueles que tinham litígio.

6These kept much at Joacim’s house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.

7Lá pelo meio-dia, quando toda essa gente tinha ido embora, Suzana vinha passear no jardim de seu marido.

7Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband’s garden to walk.

8Os dois anciãos viam-na, portanto, todos os dias durante seu passeio, tanto que se apaixonaram por ela e,

8And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.

9perdendo a justa noção das coisas, desviaram os olhos para não ver mais o céu e não ter mais presente no espírito a verdadeira regra de comportamento.

9And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.

10Ambos foram atingidos pelo amor a Suzana, mas sem se confiarem mutuamente sua emoção.

10And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief.

11Tinham vergonha de declarar um ao outro o desejo que sentiam de possuí-la.

11For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.

12Todos os dias, inquietos, procuravam avistá-la.

12Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.

13Uma vez disseram um ao outro: “Vamos para casa; está na hora do almoço”. Saíram cada um para seu lado.

13And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.

14Mas, havendo ambos retrocedido, encontraram-se novamente no mesmo lugar. Perguntando um ao outro qual o motivo de sua volta, confessaram-se sua concupiscência. Combinaram, então, um encontro onde a pudessem surpreender sozinha.

14So 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 appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.

15Enquanto calculavam qual seria o momento propício, eis que Suzana chegou como de costume, com duas empregadas, e tomou a resolução de banhar-se, pois fazia calor.

15And 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.

16Lá não havia ninguém, salvo os dois anciãos escondidos, que a esprei­tavam.

16And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.

17“Trazei-me” – disse ela às duas empregadas – “óleo e unguentos, e fechai as portas do jardim, para eu me banhar.”

17Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.

18O que elas fizeram por sua ordem. As portas do jardim estando fechadas, saíram pela porta do fundo para ir buscar os objetos pedidos, ignorando que os anciãos lá se achavam escondidos.

18And 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 saw not the elders, because they were hid.

19Apenas saíram, os dois homens precipitaram-se em direção de Suzana.

19Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,

20“As portas do jardim estão fechadas” – disseram-lhe –, “ninguém nos vê. Ardemos de amor por ti. Aceita e entrega-te a nós.

20Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.

21Se recusares, iremos denunciar-te: diremos que havia um jovem contigo, e que foi por isso que fizeste sair tuas servas.”

21If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.

22Suzana exclamou tristemente: “Que angústias me envolvem por todos os lados! Consentir? Eu seria condenada à morte! Recusar? Nem assim eu escaparia de vossas mãos!

22Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.

23Não! Prefiro cair, sem culpa alguma, em vossas mãos, do que pecar contra o Senhor”.

23It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.

24Suzana soltou grandes gritos, e os dois anciãos gritavam também contra ela.

24With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.

25E um deles, correndo às portas do jardim, abriu-as.

25Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.

26Com essa balbúrdia, os criados precipitaram-se pela porta do fundo para ver o que havia acontecido.

26So 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.

27Os anciãos se puseram a falar, e os criados enrubesceram, pois jamais nada de semelhante fora dito de Suzana.

27But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.

28No dia seguinte, os dois anciãos, cheios de criminosas intenções contra a vida de Suzana, vieram à reunião que se realizava em casa de Joaquin, marido dela.

28And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;

29Disseram, diante da assembleia: “Mandem buscar Suzana, filha de Helcias, a mulher de Joaquin!”. Foram-na buscar,

29And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim’s wife. And so they sent.

30e ela chegou com seus pais, seus filhos e os membros de sua família.

30So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.

31Era delicada e bela de rosto.

31Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.

32Aqueles homens perversos exigiam que ela retirasse seu véu – pois estava velada –, a fim de poderem (pelo menos) fartar-se de sua beleza.

32And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.

33Os seus choravam, assim como seus amigos.

33Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.

34Os dois anciãos levantaram-se à vista de todos, e pousaram a mão sobre sua cabeça,

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

35enquanto ela, debulhada em lágrimas, mas com o coração cheio de confiança no Senhor, olhava para o céu.

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

36Os anciãos disseram então: “Quando passeávamos pelo jardim, ela entrou com duas servas; depois fechou a porta e mandou embora suas acompanhantes.

36And 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.

37Então, um jovem que se achava escondido ali, aproximou-se e pecou com ela.

37Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.

38Nós nos encontrávamos em um recanto do jardim. Diante de tal desvergonhamento, corremos para eles e os surpreendemos em flagrante delito.

38Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.

39Não pudemos agarrar o homem, porque era mais forte do que nós, e fugiu pela porta aberta.

39And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.

40Ela, nós a apanhamos; mas quando a interrogamos para saber quem era o jovem, recusou-se a responder. Somos testemunhas do fato”.

40But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.

41Confiando nesses homens, que eram anciãos e juízes do povo, condenaram Suzana à morte.

41Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.

42Então, ela exclamou bem alto: “Deus eterno, vós que penetrais os segredos, que conheceis os acontecimentos antes que aconteçam,

42Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:

43sabeis que isso é um falso testemunho que levantaram contra mim. Vou morrer, sem nada ter feito do que maldosamente inventaram de mim”.

43Thou knowest 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.

44Deus ouviu sua oração.

44And the Lord heard her voice.

45Como a levassem para a morte, o Senhor suscitou o espírito íntegro de um adolescente chamado Daniel,

45Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:

46que proclamou com vigor: “Sou inocente da morte dessa mu­lher!”.

46Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.

47Todo mundo virou-se para ele: “O que significa isso?” – perguntaram-lhe.

47Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?

48Então, no meio de um círculo que se formava, disse: “Israelitas, estais loucos! Eis que condenais uma israelita sem interrogatório, sem conhecer a verdade!

48So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?

49Recomeçai o julgamento, porque é um falso testemunho a declaração desses dois homens contra ela”.

49Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.

50O povo apressou-se em voltar. Os anciãos disseram a Daniel: “Vem sentar conosco e esclarece-nos, pois Deus te deu o privilégio da velhice!”.

50Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.

51“Separai-os um do outro” – exclamou Daniel –, “e eu os julgarei.” Foram separados.

51Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.

52Então, Daniel chamou o primeiro e disse-lhe: “Velho perverso! Eis que agora aparecem os pecados que cometeste outrora em julgamentos injustos,

52So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now thy sins which thou hast committed aforetime are come to light.

53condenando os inocentes e absolvendo os culpados; no entanto, é Deus quem diz: não farás morrer o inocente e o íntegro.

53For thou hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.

54Vamos! Se realmente a viste, dize-nos debaixo de qual árvore os viste juntos”. “Debaixo de um lentisco” – respondeu.

54Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.

55“Ótimo!” – continuou Daniel –, “eis a mentira, que pagarás com tua cabeça. Eis aqui o anjo do Senhor que, segundo a sentença divina, vai dividir teu corpo pelo meio.”*

55And Daniel said, Very well; thou hast lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God to cut thee in two.

56Afastaram o homem. Daniel mandou vir o outro e disse-lhe: “Filho de Canaã! Tu não és judeu: foi a beleza que te seduziu, e a concupiscência que te perverteu.

56So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.

57Foi assim que sempre fizeste com as filhas de Israel, as quais, por medo, entravam em relação convosco. Mas eis uma filha de Judá que não consentiu no vosso crime.*

57Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.

58Vamos, dize-me sob qual árvore os surpreendeste em intimidade”. “Sob um carvalho.”

58Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.

59“Ótimo!” – respondeu Daniel – “Tu também proferiste uma mentira que vai te custar a vida. Eis aqui o anjo do Se­nhor, que empunha a espada, prestes a serrar-te pelo meio para te fazer perecer.”*

59Then said Daniel unto him, Well; thou hast also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.

60Logo a assembleia se pôs a clamar ruidosamente e a bendizer a Deus por salvar aqueles que nele põem sua espe­rança.

60With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.

61Toda a multidão revoltou-se então contra os dois anciãos os quais, por suas próprias declarações, Daniel provou terem dado falso testemunho.*

61And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:

62De acordo com a Lei de Moisés, aplicaram o tratamento que tinham querido infligir ao seu próximo: foram mortos. Assim, naquele dia, foi poupada uma vida inocente.

62And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.

63Helcias e sua mulher louvaram a Deus por sua filha Suzana, com Joaquin, seu marido, e todos os seus parentes, pois nada de desonesto havia sido encontrado em seu proceder.

63Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.

64E Daniel gozou, desde então, de uma alta consideração entre seus concidadãos.

64From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.