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.
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.
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.
23
I choose not to do it; I will fall into your hands, rather than sin in the sight of the Lord."
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.
27
And when the elders told their story, the servants felt very much ashamed, for nothing like this had ever been said about 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,