27
When the two elders had their say, the servants were very ashamed because nothing like this had ever been said about Susanna.
28
The next day when the people came to her husband Joakim, the two elders came too, full of their immoral scheme to have Susanna killed. They said in front of the people,
29
"Call Susanna, Hilkiah's daughter, who is married to Joakim." So they called her in.
30
She came with her parents, her children, and all her relatives.
31
Now Susanna was elegant, beautiful in appearance.
32
The criminals ordered the veil that she was wearing to be removed so they could soak in her beauty.
33
But her household and all who saw her were crying.
34
Upon taking the stand in front of everybody, the elders laid their hands on Susanna's head to give testimony.
35
But she looked up to heaven while crying because she trusted the Lord.
36
The elders said, "While we were walking around the large garden by ourselves, this woman came in with two female servants. She locked the gates of the garden and sent away the female servants.
37
Then a young man, who had been hiding, came and lay with her.