39
and caught them in the act. We tried to hold on to the man, but he was too strong for us. He ran and opened the gates and got away,
40
but we were able to hold the woman. We asked her who the man was, but she refused to tell us. We swear that our testimony is true."
41
Because the two men were not only leaders in the community but also judges, the people believed their story and condemned Susanna to death.
42
Then Susanna cried out in a loud voice, "Eternal God, nothing can be kept secret from you; you know everything before it happens.
43
Here I am about to die, but you know that I am innocent, that these men are lying. Why must I die?"
44
The Lord heard her prayer
45
and led a young man named Daniel to speak out, just as Susanna was being taken away to her death.
46
He shouted, "I refuse to be a party to her death!"
47
Everyone turned around to look at him and asked, "What are you talking about?"
48
Daniel stood up before them and said, "People of Israel, how foolish can you be? Are you going to condemn an Israelite woman to death on this kind of evidence? You haven't even tried to find out the truth.
49
Reopen the case. The testimony these men gave was a lie."