Susanna 15-27

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Elders Threaten Susanna

¹⁵ Once, while they were watching for an opportune day, she went in as before with only two maids and wished to bathe in the garden, for it was a hot day.^{(A) 16} No one was there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching her. ¹⁷ She said to her maids, “Bring me olive oil and ointments, and shut the garden doors so that I can bathe.”^{(B) 18} They did as she told them: they shut the doors of the garden and went out by the side doors to bring what they had been commanded; they did not see the elders because they were hiding.^(C)

¹⁹ When the maids had gone out, the two elders got up and ran to her. ²⁰ They said, “Look, the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us. We are burning with desire for you, so give your consent, and lie with us.^{(D) 21} If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was with you, and this was why you sent your maids away.”

²² Susanna groaned and said, “I am completely trapped. For if I do this, it will mean death for me; if I do not, I cannot escape your hands.^{(E) 23} I choose not to do it; I will fall into your hands rather than sin in the sight of the Lord.”^(F)

²⁴ Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and the two elders shouted against her. ²⁵ And one of them ran and opened the garden doors. ²⁶ When the people in the house heard the shouting in the garden, they rushed in at the side door to see what had happened to her.^{(G) 27} And when the elders told their story, the servants felt very much ashamed, for nothing like this had ever been said about Susanna.