22
Susanna sighed deeply, and said, "I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands.
23
I choose not to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to 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 household servants 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 tale, the servants were greatly 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.
29
They said before the people, "Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, who is the wife of Joakim."
30
So they sent for her. And she came, with her parents, her children, and all her kindred.
31
Now Susanna was a woman of great refinement, and beautiful in appearance.
32
As she was veiled, the wicked men ordered her to be unveiled, that they might feed upon her beauty.