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But I would rather be your innocent victim than sin against the Lord."
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So she started screaming as loud as she could, and the two judges began shouting accusations,
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while one of them ran and unlocked the gates.
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As soon as the servants in the house heard all the noise, they ran into the gardens through the side door to find out what had happened to Susanna.
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The judges told their story, and the servants were shocked and ashamed. Such a thing had never before been said about Susanna.
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The next day, when the people assembled at Joakim's house, the two judges arrived, fully determined to carry out their wicked plan to have Susanna put to death.
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In front of all the people they said, "Send for Joakim's wife Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah." When she was called,
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she came in with her parents, her children, and all her other relatives.
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Susanna was so graceful and beautiful
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that the two wicked men ordered her veil to be removed, so that they might enjoy looking at her.
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Her family and everyone else were in tears.