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⁴¹but she would not tell us. These things we testify.’

Because they were elders of the people and judges, the assembly believed them and condemned her to death.

42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, ‘O eternal God, you know what is secret and are aware of all things before they come to be; ⁴³you know that these men have given false evidence against me. And now I am to die, though I have done none of the wicked things that they have charged against me!’

44 The Lord heard her cry. ⁴⁵Just as she was being led off to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel, ⁴⁶and he shouted with a loud voice, ‘I want no part in shedding this woman’s blood!’

Daniel Rescues Susanna

47 All the people turned to him and asked, ‘What is this you are saying?’ ⁴⁸Taking his stand among them he said, ‘Are you such fools, O Israelites, as to condemn a daughter of Israel without examination and without learning the facts? ⁴⁹Return to court, for these men have given false evidence against her.’

50 So all the people hurried back. And the rest of the^* elders said to him, ‘Come, sit among us and inform us, for God has given you the standing of an elder.’ ⁵¹Daniel said to them, ‘Separate them far from each other, and I will examine them.’

52 When they were separated from each other, he summoned one of them and said to him, ‘You old relic of wicked days, your sins have now come home, which you have committed in the past, ⁵³pronouncing unjust judgements, condemning the innocent and acquitting the guilty, though the Lord said, “You shall not put an innocent and righteous person to death.” ⁵⁴Now then, if you really saw this woman, tell me this: Under what tree did you see them being intimate with each other?’ He answered, ‘Under a mastic tree.’^{* 55}And Daniel said, ‘Very well! This lie has cost you your head, for the angel of God has received the sentence from God and will immediately cut^* you in two.’

56 Then, putting him to one side, he ordered them to bring the other. And he said to him, ‘You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has beguiled you and lust has perverted your heart. ⁵⁷This is how you have been treating the daughters of Israel, and they were intimate with you through fear; but a daughter of Judah would not tolerate your wickedness. ⁵⁸Now then, tell me: Under what tree did you catch them being intimate with each other?’ He answered, ‘Under an evergreen oak.’^{* 59}Daniel said to him, ‘Very well! This lie has cost you also your head, for the angel of God is waiting with his sword to split^* you in two, so as to destroy you both.’

60 Then the whole assembly raised a great shout and blessed God, who saves those who hope in him. ⁶¹And they took action against the two elders, because out of their own mouths Daniel had convicted them of bearing false witness; they did to them as they had wickedly planned to do to their neighbour. ⁶²Acting in accordance with the law of Moses, they put them to death. Thus innocent blood was spared that day.