The Revised Standard Version (RSV), Ethiopian Bible, and original Authorized King James Version (KJV) all include the book of Susanna, but it isn’t found in most other versions of the Bible.
Susanna focuses on the pious life and crooked trial of the righteous Susanna, wrongly accused of adultery and sentenced to die. A young Daniel plays a pivotal role in her story.
As the people march Susanna off to her execution, Daniel receives a revelation from God. Then Daniel boldly interrupts the procession and loudly proclaims her innocence.
Now having the people’s attention, Daniel then proceeds to discredit the accuracy of the two corrupt judges who gave false testimony against Susanna.
In the end, the two men who lied about her are executed, Susanna’s life is spared and her dignity restored, and Daniel is celebrated.
Susanna is an Apocrypha book and not included in all versions of the Bible.
The Revised Standard Version (RSV), Common English Bible (CEB), Wycliffe Bible (WYC), Ethiopian Bible, and the original Authorized King James Version (KJV) all include Susanna. However, Susanna was removed from the KJV almost two centuries after it was first published.
The New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible (NABRE), and Douay-Rheims (DRA) also include this text, but list it as part of Daniel, specifically as Daniel 13.
The Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Jewish scriptures, which was widely used in Jesus’s day, also contains this text, but include it as part of Daniel.
For more information, see why “Christians Should Consider the Entire Bible.”
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.
