Susanna 28-46

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Elders Testify against Susanna

²⁸ The next day, when the people gathered at the house of her husband Joakim, the two elders came, full of their wicked plot to have Susanna put to death. In the presence of the people they said,^{(A) 29} “Send for Susanna daughter of Hilkiah, the wife of Joakim.”^{(B) 30} So they sent for her. And she came with her parents, her children, and all her relatives.

³¹ Now Susanna was a woman of great refinement and beautiful in appearance.^{(C) 32} As she was veiled, the scoundrels ordered her to be unveiled, so that they might feast their eyes on her beauty.^{(D) 33} Those who were with her and all who saw her were weeping.

³⁴ Then the two elders stood up before the people and laid their hands on her head.^{(E) 35} Through her tears she looked up toward heaven, for her heart trusted in the Lord.^{(F) 36} The elders said, “While we were walking in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, shut the garden doors, and dismissed the maids. ³⁷ Then a young man who was hiding there came to her and was intimate with her. ³⁸ We were in a corner of the garden, and when we saw this wickedness we ran to them. ³⁹ Although we saw him have intercourse with her, we could not hold the man because he was stronger than we, and he opened the doors and got away. ⁴⁰ We did, however, seize this woman and asked who the young man was, ⁴¹ but she would not tell us. These things we testify.”

Because they were elders of the people and judges, the assembly believed them and condemned her to death.^(G)

⁴² Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice and said, “O eternal God, you know what is secret and are aware of all things before they come to be;^{(H) 43} you know that these men have given false evidence against me. And now I am to die, though I have done none of the wicked things that they have charged against me!”

⁴⁴ The Lord heard her cry. ⁴⁵ Just as she was being led off to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young man named Daniel,^{(I) 46} and he shouted with a loud voice, “I want no part in shedding this woman’s blood!”^(J)