14. So they both left and went their separate ways, but soon each one came back for a look at Susanna, and by accident they met each other. At first each tried to explain what he was doing there, but finally they both confessed their desire for Susanna. They decided to watch for a time when they might find her alone.
15-17. So they kept waiting for the right opportunity.One day Susanna went into the garden as usual with her two servant women. No one else was there, except the two judges, who had hidden and were watching Susanna. It was very hot and she decided to take a bath. So she said to her servants, “Bring me some bath oil and some perfume, and lock the gates, so that I won't be disturbed.”
18. The servants locked the main gates and went out by the side door to get what Susanna had asked for. They did not notice the two men.
19. As soon as the servants had left, the two judges jumped out from their hiding-place, ran to Susanna,
20. and said to her, “The gates are locked and no one will see us. We are burning to have sex with you, so give us what we want.
21. If you don't, we will go to court and swear that we saw you send your servants away, so that you could be alone with a young man.”
22. “There is no way out,” Susanna moaned. “If I give in to you, I could be put to death for adultery. If I refuse, you will still have me trapped.
23. But I would rather be your innocent victim than sin against the Lord.”
24. So she started screaming as loud as she could, and the two judges began shouting accusations,
25. while one of them ran and unlocked the gates.
26. 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.
27. The judges told their story, and the servants were shocked and ashamed. Such a thing had never been said about Susanna before.
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.