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but she wouldn't tell us. To this we swear." The assembly believed them because they were the people's elders and judges. So they sentenced Susanna to death.
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Susanna screamed out: "Eternal God, you know what is hidden; you see everything before it happens.
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You know they've lied in this court about me! Look, I'm going to die, although I didn't do any of the things these men accuse in their malice!"
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The Lord heard her cry.
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As she was being led away to die, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young man named Daniel.
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He shouted out loud, "I'm innocent of this woman's blood!"
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All the people turned to him and asked, "What are you saying?!"
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He stood among them and said, "Are you so stupid, Israelites, that you've sentenced an Israelite woman to death without cross-examining or finding the facts?
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Go back to court: these men have given false testimony against her."
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Everyone rushed back. The other elders said to Daniel, "Sit here with us and advise us, since God has given you the status of an elder."
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Daniel told them, "Separate them from each other, and I'll cross-examine them."