21
But if thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee, and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.
22
Susanna sighed, and said: I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death to me: and if I do it not, I shall not escape your hands.
23
But it is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.
24
With that Susanna cried out with a loud voice: and the elders also cried out against her.
25
And one of them ran to the door of the orchard, and opened it.
26
So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the orchard, they rushed in by the back door to see what was the matter.
27
But after the old men had spoken, the servants were greatly ashamed: for never had there been any such word said of Susanna. And on the next day,
28
When the people were come to Joakim her husband, the two elders also came full of wicked device against Susanna, to put her to death.
29
And they said before the people: Send to Susanna daughter of Helcias the wife of Joakim. And presently they sent.
30
And she came with her parents, and children, and all her kindred.
31
Now Susanna was exceeding delicate, and beautiful to behold.