26
When the people in the house heard the shouting in the garden, they rushed in at the side door to see what had happened to her.
27
And when the elders told their story, the servants felt very much ashamed, for nothing like this had ever been said about Susanna.
28
The next day, when the people gathered at the house of her husband Joakim, the two elders came, full of their wicked plot to have Susanna put to death. In the presence of the people they said,
29
"Send for Susanna daughter of Hilkiah, the wife of Joakim."
30
So they sent for her. And she came with her parents, her children, and all her relatives.
31
Now Susanna was a woman of great refinement and beautiful in appearance.
32
As she was veiled, the scoundrels ordered her to be unveiled, so that they might feast their eyes on her beauty.
33
Those who were with her and all who saw her were weeping.
34
Then the two elders stood up before the people and laid their hands on her head.
35
Through her tears she looked up toward Heaven, for her heart trusted in the Lord.
36
The elders said, "While we were walking in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, shut the garden doors, and dismissed the maids.