28. 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.
29. In front of all the people they said, “Send for Joakim's wife Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah.” When she was called,
30. she came in with her parents, her children, and all her other relatives.
31. Susanna was so graceful and beautiful
32. that the two wicked men ordered her veil to be removed, so that they might enjoy looking at her.
33. Her family and everyone else were in tears.
34. Then the two judges stood up in front of the people, placed their hands on Susanna's head, and began making their accusations against her.
35. She was crying, but she looked up to heaven because she trusted the Lord.
36. The two men gave the following testimony: “We were walking in the garden when this woman came in with her two servant women. She locked the main gates and asked the servants to leave.
37. Then a young man who had been hiding in the garden came to her, and they lay down together.
38. We were in a corner of the garden, and when we saw what was happening, we ran over
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