Judith
chapter 1
1:1 In the twelfth year
of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, who reigned in Nineve, the great city; in the
days of Arphaxad, which reigned over the Medes in Ecbatane,
1:2 And built in Ecbatane
walls round about of stones hewn three cubits broad and six cubits long, and
made the height of the wall seventy cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits:
1:3 And set the towers
thereof upon the gates of it an hundred cubits high, and the breadth thereof
in the foundation threescore cubits:
1:4 And he made the gates
thereof, even gates that were raised to the height of seventy cubits, and the
breadth of them was forty cubits, for the going forth of his mighty armies,
and for the setting in array of his footmen:
1:5 Even in those days
king Nabuchodonosor made war with king Arphaxad in the great plain, which is
the plain in the borders of Ragau.
1:6 And there came unto
him all they that dwelt in the hill country, and all that dwelt by Euphrates,
and Tigris and Hydaspes, and the plain of Arioch the king of the Elymeans, and
very many nations of the sons of Chelod, assembled themselves to the battle.
1:7 Then Nabuchodonosor
king of the Assyrians sent unto all that dwelt in Persia, and to all that dwelt
westward, and to those that dwelt in Cilicia, and Damascus, and Libanus, and
Antilibanus, and to all that dwelt upon the sea coast,
1:8 And to those among
the nations that were of Carmel, and Galaad, and the higher Galilee, and the
great plain of Esdrelom,
1:9 And to all that were
in Samaria and the cities thereof, and beyond Jordan unto Jerusalem, and Betane,
and Chelus, and Kades, and the river of Egypt, and Taphnes, and Ramesse, and
all the land of Gesem,
1:10 Until ye come beyond
Tanis and Memphis, and to all the inhabitants of Egypt, until ye come to the
borders of Ethiopia.
1:11 But all the inhabitants
of the land made light of the commandment of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians,
neither went they with him to the battle; for they were not afraid of him: yea,
he was before them as one man, and they sent away his ambassadors from them
without effect, and with disgrace.
1:12 Therefore Nabuchodonosor
was very angry with all this country, and sware by his throne and kingdom, that
he would surely be avenged upon all those coasts of Cilicia, and Damascus, and
Syria, and that he would slay with the sword all the inhabitants of the land
of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and all Judea, and all that were in Egypt,
till ye come to the borders of the two seas.
1:13 Then he marched
in battle array with his power against king Arphaxad in the seventeenth year,
and he prevailed in his battle: for he overthrew all the power of Arphaxad,
and all his horsemen, and all his chariots,
1:14 And became lord
of his cities, and came unto Ecbatane, and took the towers, and spoiled the
streets thereof, and turned the beauty thereof into shame.
1:15 He took also Arphaxad
in the mountains of Ragau, and smote him through with his darts, and destroyed
him utterly that day.
1:16 So he returned afterward
to Nineve, both he and all his company of sundry nations being a very great
multitude of men of war, and there he took his ease, and banqueted, both he
and his army, an hundred and twenty days.
chapter 2
2:1 And in the eighteenth
year, the two and twentieth day of the first month, there was talk in the house
of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians that he should, as he said, avenge himself
on all the earth.
2:2 So he called unto
him all his officers, and all his nobles, and communicated with them his secret
counsel, and concluded the afflicting of the whole earth out of his own mouth.
2:3 Then they decreed
to destroy all flesh, that did not obey the commandment of his mouth.
2:4 And when he had ended
his counsel, Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians called Holofernes the chief
captain of his army, which was next unto him, and said unto him.
2:5 Thus saith the great
king, the lord of the whole earth, Behold, thou shalt go forth from my presence,
and take with thee men that trust in their own strength, of footmen an hundred
and twenty thousand; and the number of horses with their riders twelve thousand.
2:6 And thou shalt go
against all the west country, because they disobeyed my commandment.
2:7 And thou shalt declare
unto that they prepare for me earth and water: for I will go forth in my wrath
against them and will cover the whole face of the earth with the feet of mine
army, and I will give them for a spoil unto them:
2:8 So that their slain
shall fill their valleys and brooks and the river shall be filled with their
dead, till it overflow:
2:9 And I will lead them
captives to the utmost parts of all the earth.
2:10 Thou therefore shalt
go forth. and take beforehand for me all their coasts: and if they will yield
themselves unto thee, thou shalt reserve them for me till the day of their punishment.
2:11 But concerning them
that rebel, let not thine eye spare them; but put them to the slaughter, and
spoil them wheresoever thou goest.
2:12 For as I live, and
by the power of my kingdom, whatsoever I have spoken, that will I do by mine
hand.
2:13 And take thou heed
that thou transgress none of the commandments of thy lord, but accomplish them
fully, as I have commanded thee, and defer not to do them.
2:14 Then Holofernes
went forth from the presence of his lord, and called ail the governors and captains,
and the officers of the army of Assur;
2:15 And he mustered
the chosen men for the battle, as his lord had commanded him, unto an hundred
and twenty thousand, and twelve thousand archers on horseback;
2:16 And he ranged them,
as a great army is ordered for the war.
2:17 And he took camels
and asses for their carriages, a very great number; and sheep and oxen and goats
without number for their provision:
2:18 And plenty of victual
for every man of the army, and very much gold and silver out of the king's house.
2:19 Then he went forth
and all his power to go before king Nabuchodonosor in the voyage, and to cover
all the face of the earth westward with their chariots, and horsemen, and their
chosen footmen.
2:20 A great number also
sundry countries came with them like locusts, and like the sand of the earth:
for the multitude was without number.
2:21 And they went forth
of Nineve three days' journey toward the plain of Bectileth, and pitched from
Bectileth near the mountain which is at the left hand of the upper Cilicia.
2:22 Then he took all
his army, his footmen, and horsemen and chariots, and went from thence into
the hill country;
2:23 And destroyed Phud
and Lud, and spoiled all the children of Rasses, and the children of Israel,
which were toward the wilderness at the south of the land of the Chellians.
2:24 Then he went over
Euphrates, and went through Mesopotamia, and destroyed all the high cities that
were upon the river Arbonai, till ye come to the sea.
2:25 And he took the
borders of Cilicia, and killed all that resisted him, and came to the borders
of Japheth, which were toward the south, over against Arabia.
2:26 He compassed also
all the children of Madian, and burned up their tabernacles, and spoiled their
sheepcotes.
2:27 Then he went down
into the plain of Damascus in the time of wheat harvest, and burnt up all their
fields, and destroyed their flocks and herds, also he spoiled their cities,
and utterly wasted their countries, and smote all their young men with the edge
of the sword.
2:28 Therefore the fear
and dread of him fell upon all the inhabitants of the sea coasts, which were
in Sidon and Tyrus, and them that dwelt in Sur and Ocina, and all that dwelt
in Jemnaan; and they that dwelt in Azotus and Ascalon feared him greatly.
chapter 3
3:1 So they sent ambassadors
unto him to treat of peace, saying,
3:2 Behold, we the servants
of Nabuchodonosor the great king lie before thee; use us as shall be good in
thy sight.
3:3 Behold, our houses,
and all our places, and all our fields of wheat, and flocks, and herds, and
all the lodges of our tents lie before thy face; use them as it pleaseth thee.
3:4 Behold, even our cities
and the inhabitants thereof are thy servants; come and deal with them as seemeth
good unto thee.
3:5 So the men came to
Holofernes, and declared unto him after this manner.
3:6 Then came he down
toward the sea coast, both he and his army, and set garrisons in the high cities,
and took out of them chosen men for aid.
3:7 So they and all the
country round about received them with garlands, with dances, and with timbrels.
3:8 Yet he did cast down
their frontiers, and cut down their groves: for he had decreed to destroy all
the gods of the land, that all nations should worship Nabuchodonosor only, and
that all tongues and tribes should call upon him as god.
3:9 Also he came over
against Esdraelon near unto Judea, over against the great strait of Judea.
3:10 And he pitched between
Geba and Scythopolis, and there he tarried a whole month, that he might gather
together all the carriages of his army.
chapter 4
4:1 Now the children of
Israel, that dwelt in Judea, heard all that Holofernes the chief captain of
Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians had done to the nations, and after what
manner he had spoiled all their temples, and brought them to nought.
4:2 Therefore they were
exceedingly afraid of him, and were troubled for Jerusalem, and for the temple
of the Lord their God:
4:3 For they were newly
returned from the captivity, and all the people of Judea were lately gathered
together: and the vessels, and the altar, and the house, were sanctified after
the profanation.
4:4 Therefore they sent
into all the coasts of Samaria, and the villages and to Bethoron, and Belmen,
and Jericho, and to Choba, and Esora, and to the valley of Salem:
4:5 And possessed themselves
beforehand of all the tops of the high mountains, and fortified the villages
that were in them, and laid up victuals for the provision of war: for their
fields were of late reaped.
4:6 Also Joacim the high
priest, which was in those days in Jerusalem, wrote to them that dwelt in Bethulia,
and Betomestham, which is over against Esdraelon toward the open country, near
to Dothaim,
4:7 Charging them to keep
the passages of the hill country: for by them there was an entrance into Judea,
and it was easy to stop them that would come up, because the passage was straight,
for two men at the most.
4:8 And the children of
Israel did as Joacim the high priest had commanded them, with the ancients of
all the people of Israel, which dwelt at Jerusalem.
4:9 Then every man of
Israel cried to God with great fervency, and with great vehemency did they humble
their souls:
4:10 Both they, and their
wives and their children, and their cattle, and every stranger and hireling,
and their servants bought with money, put sackcloth upon their loins.
4:11 Thus every man and
women, and the little children, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, fell before
the temple, and cast ashes upon their heads, and spread out their sackcloth
before the face of the Lord: also they put sackcloth about the altar,
4:12 And cried to the
God of Israel all with one consent earnestly, that he would not give their children
for a prey, and their wives for a spoil, and the cities of their inheritance
to destruction, and the sanctuary to profanation and reproach, and for the nations
to rejoice at.
4:13 So God heard their
prayers, and looked upon their afflictions: for the people fasted many days
in all Judea and Jerusalem before the sanctuary of the Lord Almighty.
4:14 And Joacim the high
priest, and all the priests that stood before the Lord, and they which ministered
unto the Lord, had their loins girt with sackcloth, and offered the daily burnt
offerings, with the vows and free gifts of the people,
4:15 And had ashes on
their mitres, and cried unto the Lord with all their power, that he would look
upon all the house of Israel graciously.
chapter 5
5:1 Then was it declared
to Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Assur, that the children of
Israel had prepared for war, and had shut up the passages of the hill country,
and had fortified all the tops of the high hills and had laid impediments in
the campaign countries:
5:2 Wherewith he was very
angry, and called all the princes of Moab, and the captains of Ammon, and all
the governors of the sea coast,
5:3 And he said unto them,
Tell me now, ye sons of Chanaan, who this people is, that dwelleth in the hill
country, and what are the cities that they inhabit, and what is the multitude
of their army, and wherein is their power and strength, and what king is set
over them, or captain of their army;
5:4 And why have they
determined not to come and meet me, more than all the inhabitants of the west.
5:5 Then said Achior,
the captain of all the sons of Ammon, Let my lord now hear a word from the mouth
of thy servant, and I will declare unto thee the truth concerning this people,
which dwelleth near thee, and inhabiteth the hill countries: and there shall
no lie come out of the mouth of thy servant.
5:6 This people are descended
of the Chaldeans:
5:7 And they sojourned
heretofore in Mesopotamia, because they would not follow the gods of their fathers,
which were in the land of Chaldea.
5:8 For they left the
way of their ancestors, and worshipped the God of heaven, the God whom they
knew: so they cast them out from the face of their gods, and they fled into
Mesopotamia, and sojourned there many days.
5:9 Then their God commanded
them to depart from the place where they sojourned, and to go into the land
of Chanaan: where they dwelt, and were increased with gold and silver, and with
very much cattle.
5:10 But when a famine
covered all the land of Chanaan, they went down into Egypt, and sojourned there,
while they were nourished, and became there a great multitude, so that one could
not number their nation.
5:11 Therefore the king
of Egypt rose up against them, and dealt subtilly with them, and brought them
low with labouring in brick, and made them slaves.
5:12 Then they cried
unto their God, and he smote all the land of Egypt with incurable plagues: so
the Egyptians cast them out of their sight.
5:13 And God dried the
Red sea before them,
5:14 And brought them
to mount Sina, and Cades-Barne, and cast forth all that dwelt in the wilderness.
5:15 So they dwelt in
the land of the Amorites, and they destroyed by their strength all them of Esebon,
and passing over Jordan they possessed all the hill country.
5:16 And they cast forth
before them the Chanaanite, the Pherezite, the Jebusite, and the Sychemite,
and all the Gergesites, and they dwelt in that country many days.
5:17 And whilst they
sinned not before their God, they prospered, because the God that hateth iniquity
was with them.
5:18 But when they departed
from the way which he appointed them, they were destroyed in many battles very
sore, and were led captives into a land that was not their's, and the temple
of their God was cast to the ground, and their cities were taken by the enemies.
5:19 But now are they
returned to their God, and are come up from the places where they were scattered,
and have possessed Jerusalem, where their sanctuary is, and are seated in the
hill country; for it was desolate.
5:20 Now therefore, my
lord and governor, if there be any error against this people, and they sin against
their God, let us consider that this shall be their ruin, and let us go up,
and we shall overcome them.
5:21 But if there be
no iniquity in their nation, let my lord now pass by, lest their Lord defend
them, and their God be for them, and we become a reproach before all the world.
5:22 And when Achior
had finished these sayings, all the people standing round about the tent murmured,
and the chief men of Holofernes, and all that dwelt by the sea side, and in
Moab, spake that he should kill him.
5:23 For, say they, we
will not be afraid of the face of the children of Israel: for, lo, it is a people
that have no strength nor power for a strong battle
5:24 Now therefore, lord
Holofernes, we will go up, and they shall be a prey to be devoured of all thine
army.
chapter 6
6:1 And when the tumult
of men that were about the council was ceased, Holofernes the chief captain
of the army of Assur said unto Achior and all the Moabites before all the company
of other nations,
6:2 And who art thou,
Achior, and the hirelings of Ephraim, that thou hast prophesied against us as
to day, and hast said, that we should not make war with the people of Israel,
because their God will defend them? and who is God but Nabuchodonosor?
6:3 He will send his power,
and will destroy them from the face of the earth, and their God shall not deliver
them: but we his servants will destroy them as one man; for they are not able
to sustain the power of our horses.
6:4 For with them we will
tread them under foot, and their mountains shall be drunken with their blood,
and their fields shall be filled with their dead bodies, and their footsteps
shall not be able to stand before us, for they shall utterly perish, saith king
Nabuchodonosor, lord of all the earth: for he said, None of my words shall be
in vain.
6:5 And thou, Achior,
an hireling of Ammon, which hast spoken these words in the day of thine iniquity,
shalt see my face no more from this day, until I take vengeance of this nation
that came out of Egypt.
6:6 And then shall the
sword of mine army, and the multitude of them that serve me, pass through thy
sides, and thou shalt fall among their slain, when I return.
6:7 Now therefore my servants
shall bring thee back into the hill country, and shall set thee in one of the
cities of the passages:
6:8 And thou shalt not
perish, till thou be destroyed with them.
6:9 And if thou persuade
thyself in thy mind that they shall be taken, let not thy countenance fall:
I have spoken it, and none of my words shall be in vain.
6:10 Then Holofernes
commanded his servants, that waited in his tent, to take Achior, and bring him
to Bethulia, and deliver him into the hands of the children of Israel.
6:11 So his servants
took him, and brought him out of the camp into the plain, and they went from
the midst of the plain into the hill country, and came unto the fountains that
were under Bethulia.
6:12 And when the men
of the city saw them, they took up their weapons, and went out of the city to
the top of the hill: and every man that used a sling kept them from coming up
by casting of stones against them.
6:13 Nevertheless having
gotten privily under the hill, they bound Achior, and cast him down, and left
him at the foot of the hill, and returned to their lord.
6:14 But the Israelites
descended from their city, and came unto him, and loosed him, and brought him
to Bethulia, and presented him to the governors of the city:
6:15 Which were in those
days Ozias the son of Micha, of the tribe of Simeon, and Chabris the son of
Gothoniel, and Charmis the son of Melchiel.
6:16 And they called
together all the ancients of the city, and all their youth ran together, and
their women, to the assembly, and they set Achior in the midst of all their
people. Then Ozias asked him of that which was done.
6:17 And he answered
and declared unto them the words of the council of Holofernes, and all the words
that he had spoken in the midst of the princes of Assur, and whatsoever Holofernes
had spoken proudly against the house of Israel.
6:18 Then the people
fell down and worshipped God, and cried unto God. saying,
6:19 O Lord God of heaven,
behold their pride, and pity the low estate of our nation, and look upon the
face of those that are sanctified unto thee this day.
6:20 Then they comforted
Achior, and praised him greatly.
6:21 And Ozias took him
out of the assembly unto his house, and made a feast to the elders; and they
called on the God of Israel all that night for help.
chapter 7
7:1 The next day Holofernes
commanded all his army, and all his people which were come to take his part,
that they should remove their camp against Bethulia, to take aforehand the ascents
of the hill country, and to make war against the children of Israel.
7:2 Then their strong
men removed their camps in that day, and the army of the men of war was an hundred
and seventy thousand footmen, and twelve thousand horsemen, beside the baggage,
and other men that were afoot among them, a very great multitude.
7:3 And they camped in
the valley near unto Bethulia, by the fountain, and they spread themselves in
breadth over Dothaim even to Belmaim, and in length from Bethulia unto Cynamon,
which is over against Esdraelon.
7:4 Now the children of
Israel, when they saw the multitude of them, were greatly troubled, and said
every one to his neighbour, Now will these men lick up the face of the earth;
for neither the high mountains, nor the valleys, nor the hills, are able to
bear their weight.
7:5 Then every man took
up his weapons of war, and when they had kindled fires upon their towers, they
remained and watched all that night.
7:6 But in the second
day Holofernes brought forth all his horsemen in the sight of the children of
Israel which were in Bethulia,
7:7 And viewed the passages
up to the city, and came to the fountains of their waters, and took them, and
set garrisons of men of war over them, and he himself removed toward his people.
7:8 Then came unto him
all the chief of the children of Esau, and all the governors of the people of
Moab, and the captains of the sea coast, and said,
7:9 Let our lord now hear
a word, that there be not an overthrow in thine army.
7:10 For this people
of the children of Israel do not trust in their spears, but in the height of
the mountains wherein they dwell, because it is not easy to come up to the tops
of their mountains.
7:11 Now therefore, my
lord, fight not against them in battle array, and there shall not so much as
one man of thy people perish.
7:12 Remain in thy camp,
and keep all the men of thine army, and let thy servants get into their hands
the fountain of water, which issueth forth of the foot of the mountain:
7:13 For all the inhabitants
of Bethulia have their water thence; so shall thirst kill them, and they shall
give up their city, and we and our people shall go up to the tops of the mountains
that are near, and will camp upon them, to watch that none go out of the city.
7:14 So they and their
wives and their children shall be consumed with fire, and before the sword come
against them, they shall be overthrown in the streets where they dwell.
7:15 Thus shalt thou
render them an evil reward; because they rebelled, and met not thy person peaceably.
7:16 And these words
pleased Holofernes and all his servants, and he appointed to do as they had
spoken.
7:17 So the camp of the
children of Ammon departed, and with them five thousand of the Assyrians, and
they pitched in the valley, and took the waters, and the fountains of the waters
of the children of Israel.
7:18 Then the children
of Esau went up with the children of Ammon, and camped in the hill country over
against Dothaim: and they sent some of them toward the south, and toward the
east over against Ekrebel, which is near unto Chusi, that is upon the brook
Mochmur; and the rest of the army of the Assyrians camped in the plain, and
covered the face of the whole land; and their tents and carriages were pitched
to a very great multitude.
7:19 Then the children
of Israel cried unto the Lord their God, because their heart failed, for all
their enemies had compassed them round about, and there was no way to escape
out from among them.
7:20 Thus all the company
of Assur remained about them, both their footmen, chariots, and horsemen, four
and thirty days, so that all their vessels of water failed all the inhibitants
of Bethulia.
7:21 And the cisterns
were emptied, and they had not water to drink their fill for one day; for they
gave them drink by measure.
7:22 Therefore their
young children were out of heart, and their women and young men fainted for
thirst, and fell down in the streets of the city, and by the passages of the
gates, and there was no longer any strength in them.
7:23 Then all the people
assembled to Ozias, and to the chief of the city, both young men, and women,
and children, and cried with a loud voice, and said before all the elders,
7:24 God be judge between
us and you: for ye have done us great injury, in that ye have not required peace
of the children of Assur.
7:25 For now we have
no helper: but God hath sold us into their hands, that we should be thrown down
before them with thirst and great destruction.
7:26 Now therefore call
them unto you, and deliver the whole city for a spoil to the people of Holofernes,
and to all his army.
7:27 For it is better
for us to be made a spoil unto them, than to die for thirst: for we will be
his servants, that our souls may live, and not see the death of our infants
before our eyes, nor our wives nor our children to die.
7:28 We take to witness
against you the heaven and the earth, and our God and Lord of our fathers, which
punisheth us according to our sins and the sins of our fathers, that he do not
according as we have said this day.
7:29 Then there was great
weeping with one consent in the midst of the assembly; and they cried unto the
Lord God with a loud voice.
7:30 Then said Ozias
to them, Brethren, be of good courage, let us yet endure five days, in the which
space the Lord our God may turn his mercy toward us; for he will not forsake
us utterly.
7:31 And if these days
pass, and there come no help unto us, I will do according to your word.
7:32 And he dispersed
the people, every one to their own charge; and they went unto the walls and
towers of their city, and sent the women and children into their houses: and
they were very low brought in the city.
chapter 8
8:1 Now at that time Judith
heard thereof, which was the daughter of Merari, the son of Ox, the son of Joseph,
the son of Ozel, the son of Elcia, the son of Ananias, the son of Gedeon, the
son of Raphaim, the son of Acitho, the son of Eliu, the son of Eliab, the son
of Nathanael, the son of Samael, the son of Salasadal, the son of Israel.
8:2 And Manasses was her
husband, of her tribe and kindred, who died in the barley harvest.
8:3 For as he stood overseeing
them that bound sheaves in the field, the heat came upon his head, and he fell
on his bed, and died in the city of Bethulia: and they buried him with his fathers
in the field between Dothaim and Balamo.
8:4 So Judith was a widow
in her house three years and four months.
8:5 And she made her a
tent upon the top of her house, and put on sackcloth upon her loins and ware
her widow's apparel.
8:6 And she fasted all
the days of her widowhood, save the eves of the sabbaths, and the sabbaths,
and the eves of the new moons, and the new moons and the feasts and solemn days
of the house of Israel.
8:7 She was also of a
goodly countenance, and very beautiful to behold: and her husband Manasses had
left her gold, and silver, and menservants and maidservants, and cattle, and
lands; and she remained upon them.
8:8 And there was none
that gave her an ill word; ar she feared God greatly.
8:9 Now when she heard
the evil words of the people against the governor, that they fainted for lack
of water; for Judith had heard all the words that Ozias had spoken unto them,
and that he had sworn to deliver the city unto the Assyrians after five days;
8:10 Then she sent her
waitingwoman, that had the government of all things that she had, to call Ozias
and Chabris and Charmis, the ancients of the city.
8:11 And they came unto
her, and she said unto them, Hear me now, O ye governors of the inhabitants
of Bethulia: for your words that ye have spoken before the people this day are
not right, touching this oath which ye made and pronounced between God and you,
and have promised to deliver the city to our enemies, unless within these days
the Lord turn to help you.
8:12 And now who are
ye that have tempted God this day, and stand instead of God among the children
of men?
8:13 And now try the
Lord Almighty, but ye shall never know any thing.
8:14 For ye cannot find
the depth of the heart of man, neither can ye perceive the things that he thinketh:
then how can ye search out God, that hath made all these things, and know his
mind, or comprehend his purpose? Nay, my brethren, provoke not the Lord our
God to anger.
8:15 For if he will not
help us within these five days, he hath power to defend us when he will, even
every day, or to destroy us before our enemies.
8:16 Do not bind the
counsels of the Lord our God: for God is not as man, that he may be threatened;
neither is he as the son of man, that he should be wavering.
8:17 Therefore let us
wait for salvation of him, and call upon him to help us, and he will hear our
voice, if it please him.
8:18 For there arose
none in our age, neither is there any now in these days neither tribe, nor family,
nor people, nor city among us, which worship gods made with hands, as hath been
aforetime.
8:19 For the which cause
our fathers were given to the sword, and for a spoil, and had a great fall before
our enemies.
8:20 But we know none
other god, therefore we trust that he will not dispise us, nor any of our nation.
8:21 For if we be taken
so, all Judea shall lie waste, and our sanctuary shall be spoiled; and he will
require the profanation thereof at our mouth.
8:22 And the slaughter
of our brethren, and the captivity of the country, and the desolation of our
inheritance, will he turn upon our heads among the Gentiles, wheresoever we
shall be in bondage; and we shall be an offence and a reproach to all them that
possess us.
8:23 For our servitude
shall not be directed to favour: but the Lord our God shall turn it to dishonour.
8:24 Now therefore, O
brethren, let us shew an example to our brethren, because their hearts depend
upon us, and the sanctuary, and the house, and the altar, rest upon us.
8:25 Moreover let us
give thanks to the Lord our God, which trieth us, even as he did our fathers.
8:26 Remember what things
he did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia
of Syria, when he kept the sheep of Laban his mother's brother.
8:27 For he hath not
tried us in the fire, as he did them, for the examination of their hearts, neither
hath he taken vengeance on us: but the Lord doth scourge them that come near
unto him, to admonish them.
8:28 Then said Ozias
to her, All that thou hast spoken hast thou spoken with a good heart, and there
is none that may gainsay thy words.
8:29 For this is not
the first day wherein thy wisdom is manifested; but from the beginning of thy
days all the people have known thy understanding, because the disposition of
thine heart is good.
8:30 But the people were
very thirsty, and compelled us to do unto them as we have spoken, and to bring
an oath upon ourselves, which we will not break.
8:31 Therefore now pray
thou for us, because thou art a godly woman, and the Lord will send us rain
to fill our cisterns, and we shall faint no more.
8:32 Then said Judith
unto them, Hear me, and I will do a thing, which shall go throughout all generations
to the children of our nation.
8:33 Ye shall stand this
night in the gate, and I will go forth with my waitingwoman: and within the
days that ye have promised to deliver the city to our enemies the Lord will
visit Israel by mine hand.
8:34 But enquire not
ye of mine act: for I will not declare it unto you, till the things be finished
that I do.
8:35 Then said Ozias
and the princes unto her, Go in peace, and the Lord God be before thee, to take
vengeance on our enemies.
8:36 So they returned
from the tent, and went to their wards.
chapter 9
9:1 Judith fell upon her
face, and put ashes upon her head, and uncovered the sackcloth wherewith she
was clothed; and about the time that the incense of that evening was offered
in Jerusalem in the house of the Lord Judith cried with a loud voice, and said,
9:2 O Lord God of my father
Simeon, to whom thou gavest a sword to take vengeance of the strangers, who
loosened the girdle of a maid to defile her, and discovered the thigh to her
shame, and polluted her virginity to her reproach; for thou saidst, It shall
not be so; and yet they did so:
9:3 Wherefore thou gavest
their rulers to be slain, so that they dyed their bed in blood, being deceived,
and smotest the servants with their lords, and the lords upon their thrones;
9:4 And hast given their
wives for a prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to
be divided among thy dear children; which were moved with thy zeal, and abhorred
the pollution of their blood, and called upon thee for aid: O God, O my God,
hear me also a widow.
9:5 For thou hast wrought
not only those things, but also the things which fell out before, and which
ensued after; thou hast thought upon the things which are now, and which are
to come.
9:6 Yea, what things thou
didst determine were ready at hand, and said, Lo, we are here: for all thy ways
are prepared, and thy judgments are in thy foreknowledge.
9:7 For, behold, the Assyrians
are multiplied in their power; they are exalted with horse and man; they glory
in the strength of their footmen; they trust in shield, and spear, and bow,
and sling; and know not that thou art the Lord that breakest the battles: the
Lord is thy name.
9:8 Throw down their strength
in thy power, and bring down their force in thy wrath: for they have purposed
to defile thy sanctuary, and to pollute the tabernacle where thy glorious name
resteth and to cast down with sword the horn of thy altar.
9:9 Behold their pride,
and send thy wrath upon their heads: give into mine hand, which am a widow,
the power that I have conceived.
9:10 Smite by the deceit
of my lips the servant with the prince, and the prince with the servant: break
down their stateliness by the hand of a woman.
9:11 For thy power standeth
not in multitude nor thy might in strong men: for thou art a God of the afflicted,
an helper of the oppressed, an upholder of the weak, a protector of the forlorn,
a saviour of them that are without hope.
9:12 I pray thee, I pray
thee, O God of my father, and God of the inheritance of Israel, Lord of the
heavens and earth, Creator of the waters, king of every creature, hear thou
my prayer:
9:13 And make my speech
and deceit to be their wound and stripe, who have purposed cruel things against
thy covenant, and thy hallowed house, and against the top of Sion, and against
the house of the possession of thy children.
9:14 And make every nation
and tribe to acknowledge that thou art the God of all power and might, and that
there is none other that protecteth the people of Israel but thou.
chapter 10
10:1 Now after that she
had ceased to cry unto the God of Israel, and bad made an end of all these words.
10:2 She rose where she
had fallen down, and called her maid, and went down into the house in the which
she abode in the sabbath days, and in her feast days,
10:3 And pulled off the
sackcloth which she had on, and put off the garments of her widowhood, and washed
her body all over with water, and anointed herself with precious ointment, and
braided the hair of her head, and put on a tire upon it, and put on her garments
of gladness, wherewith she was clad during the life of Manasses her husband.
10:4 And she took sandals
upon her feet, and put about her her bracelets, and her chains, and her rings,
and her earrings, and all her ornaments, and decked herself bravely, to allure
the eyes of all men that should see her.
10:5 Then she gave her
maid a bottle of wine, and a cruse of oil, and filled a bag with parched corn,
and lumps of figs, and with fine bread; so she folded all these things together,
and laid them upon her.
10:6 Thus they went forth
to the gate of the city of Bethulia, and found standing there Ozias and the
ancients of the city, Chabris and Charmis.
10:7 And when they saw
her, that her countenance was altered, and her apparel was changed, they wondered
at her beauty very greatly, and said unto her.
10:8 The God, the God
of our fathers give thee favour, and accomplish thine enterprizes to the glory
of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem. Then they worshipped
God.
10:9 And she said unto
them, Command the gates of the city to be opened unto me, that I may go forth
to accomplish the things whereof ye have spoken with me. So they commanded the
young men to open unto her, as she had spoken.
10:10 And when they
had done so, Judith went out, she, and her maid with her; and the men of the
city looked after her, until she was gone down the mountain, and till she had
passed the valley, and could see her no more.
10:11 Thus they went
straight forth in the valley: and the first watch of the Assyrians met her,
10:12 And took her,
and asked her, Of what people art thou? and whence comest thou? and whither
goest thou? And she said, I am a woman of the Hebrews, and am fled from them:
for they shall be given you to be consumed:
10:13 And I am coming
before Holofernes the chief captain of your army, to declare words of truth;
and I will shew him a way, whereby he shall go, and win all the hill country,
without losing the body or life of any one of his men.
10:14 Now when the men
heard her words, and beheld her countenance, they wondered greatly at her beauty,
and said unto her,
10:15 Thou hast saved
thy life, in that thou hast hasted to come down to the presence of our lord:
now therefore come to his tent, and some of us shall conduct thee, until they
have delivered thee to his hands.
10:16 And when thou
standest before him, be not afraid in thine heart, but shew unto him according
to thy word; and he will entreat thee well.
10:17 Then they chose
out of them an hundred men to accompany her and her maid; and they brought her
to the tent of Holofernes.
10:18 Then was there
a concourse throughout all the camp: for her coming was noised among the tents,
and they came about her, as she stood without the tent of Holofernes, till they
told him of her.
10:19 And they wondered
at her beauty, and admired the children of Israel because of her, and every
one said to his neighbour, Who would despise this people, that have among them
such women? surely it is not good that one man of them be left who being let
go might deceive the whole earth.
10:20 And they that
lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants and they brought her into
the tent.
10:21 Now Holofernes
rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was woven with purple, and gold, and
emeralds, and precious stones.
10:22 So they shewed
him of her; and he came out before his tent with silver lamps going before him.
10:23 And when Judith
was come before him and his servants they all marvelled at the beauty of her
countenance; and she fell down upon her face, and did reverence unto him: and
his servants took her up.
chapter 11
11:1 Then said Holofernes
unto her, Woman, be of good comfort, fear not in thine heart: for I never hurt
any that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor, the king of all the earth.
11:2 Now therefore, if
thy people that dwelleth in the mountains had not set light by me, I would not
have lifted up my spear against them: but they have done these things to themselves.
11:3 But now tell me
wherefore thou art fled from them, and art come unto us: for thou art come for
safeguard; be of good comfort, thou shalt live this night, and hereafter:
11:4 For none shall hurt
thee, but entreat thee well, as they do the servants of king Nabuchodonosor
my lord.
11:5 Then Judith said
unto him, Receive the words of thy servant, and suffer thine handmaid to speak
in thy presence, and I will declare no lie to my lord this night.
11:6 And if thou wilt
follow the words of thine handmaid, God will bring the thing perfectly to pass
by thee; and my lord shall not fail of his purposes.
11:7 As Nabuchodonosor
king of all the earth liveth, and as his power liveth, who hath sent thee for
the upholding of every living thing: for not only men shall serve him by thee,
but also the beasts of the field, and the cattle, and the fowls of the air,
shall live by thy power under Nabuchodonosor and all his house.
11:8 For we have heard
of thy wisdom and thy policies, and it is reported in all the earth, that thou
only art excellent in all the kingdom, and mighty in knowledge, and wonderful
in feats of war.
11:9 Now as concerning
the matter, which Achior did speak in thy council, we have heard his words;
for the men of Bethulia saved him, and he declared unto them all that he had
spoken unto thee.
11:10 Therefore, O lord
and governor, respect not his word; but lay it up in thine heart, for it is
true: for our nation shall not be punished, neither can sword prevail against
them, except they sin against their God.
11:11 And now, that
my lord be not defeated and frustrate of his purpose, even death is now fallen
upon them, and their sin hath overtaken them, wherewith they will provoke their
God to anger whensoever they shall do that which is not fit to be done:
11:12 For their victuals
fail them, and all their water is scant, and they have determined to lay hands
upon their cattle, and purposed to consume all those things, that God hath forbidden
them to eat by his laws:
11:13 And are resolved
to spend the firstfruits of the the tenths of wine and oil, which they had sanctified,
and reserved for the priests that serve in Jerusalem before the face of our
God; the which things it is not lawful for any of the people so much as to touch
with their hands.
11:14 For they have
sent some to Jerusalem, because they also that dwell there have done the like,
to bring them a licence from the senate.
11:15 Now when they
shall bring them word, they will forthwith do it, and they shall be given to
thee to be destroyed the same day.
11:16 Wherefore I thine
handmaid, knowing all this, am fled from their presence; and God hath sent me
to work things with thee, whereat all the earth shall be astonished, and whosoever
shall hear it.
11:17 For thy servant
is religious, and serveth the God of heaven day and night: now therefore, my
lord, I will remain with thee, and thy servant will go out by night into the
valley, and I will pray unto God, and he will tell me when they have committed
their sins:
11:18 And I will come
and shew it unto thee: then thou shalt go forth with all thine army, and there
shall be none of them that shall resist thee.
11:19 And I will lead
thee through the midst of Judea, until thou come before Jerusalem; and I will
set thy throne in the midst thereof; and thou shalt drive them as sheep that
have no shepherd, and a dog shall not so much as open his mouth at thee: for
these things were told me according to my foreknowledge, and they were declared
unto me, and I am sent to tell thee.
11:20 Then her words
pleased Holofernes and all his servants; and they marvelled at her wisdom, and
said,
11:21 There is not such
a woman from one end of the earth to the other, both for beauty of face, and
wisdom of words.
11:22 Likewise Holofernes
said unto her. God hath done well to send thee before the people, that strength
might be in our hands and destruction upon them that lightly regard my lord.
11:23 And now thou art
both beautiful in thy countenance, and witty in thy words: surely if thou do
as thou hast spoken thy God shall be my God, and thou shalt dwell in the house
of king Nabuchodonosor, and shalt be renowned through the whole earth.
chapter 12
12:1 Then he commanded
to bring her in where his plate was set; and bade that they should prepare for
her of his own meats, and that she should drink of his own wine.
12:2 And Judith said,
I will not eat thereof, lest there be an offence: but provision shall be made
for me of the things that I have brought.
12:3 Then Holofernes
said unto her, If thy provision should fail, how should we give thee the like?
for there be none with us of thy nation.
12:4 Then said Judith
unto him As thy soul liveth, my lord, thine handmaid shall not spend those things
that I have, before the Lord work by mine hand the things that he hath determined.
12:5 Then the servants
of Holofernes brought her into the tent, and she slept till midnight, and she
arose when it was toward the morning watch,
12:6 And sent to Holofernes,
saving, Let my lord now command that thine handmaid may go forth unto prayer.
12:7 Then Holofernes
commanded his guard that they should not stay her: thus she abode in the camp
three days, and went out in the night into the valley of Bethulia, and washed
herself in a fountain of water by the camp.
12:8 And when she came
out, she besought the Lord God of Israel to direct her way to the raising up
of the children of her people.
12:9 So she came in clean,
and remained in the tent, until she did eat her meat at evening.
12:10 And in the fourth
day Holofernes made a feast to his own servants only, and called none of the
officers to the banquet.
12:11 Then said he to
Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that he had, Go now, and persuade
this Hebrew woman which is with thee, that she come unto us, and eat and drink
with us.
12:12 For, lo, it will
be a shame for our person, if we shall let such a woman go, not having had her
company; for if we draw her not unto us, she will laugh us to scorn.
12:13 Then went Bagoas
from the presence of Holofernes, and came to her, and he said, Let not this
fair damsel fear to come to my lord, and to be honoured in his presence, and
drink wine, and be merry with us and be made this day as one of the daughters
of the Assyrians, which serve in the house of Nabuchodonosor.
12:14 Then said Judith
unto him, Who am I now, that I should gainsay my lord? surely whatsoever pleaseth
him I will do speedily, and it shall be my joy unto the day of my death.
12:15 So she arose,
and decked herself with her apparel and all her woman's attire, and her maid
went and laid soft skins on the ground for her over against Holofernes, which
she had received of Bagoas far her daily use, that she might sit and eat upon
them.
12:16 Now when Judith
came in and sat down, Holofernes his heart was ravished with her, and his mind
was moved, and he desired greatly her company; for he waited a time to deceive
her, from the day that he had seen her.
12:17 Then said Holofernes
unto her, Drink now, and be merry with us.
12:18 So Judith said,
I will drink now, my lord, because my life is magnified in me this day more
than all the days since I was born.
12:19 Then she took
and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared.
12:20 And Holofernes
took great delight in her, and drank more wine than he had drunk at any time
in one day since he was born.
chapter 13
13:1 Now when the evening
was come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent without,
and dismissed the waiters from the presence of his lord; and they went to their
beds: for they were all weary, because the feast had been long.
13:2 And Judith was left
along in the tent, and Holofernes lying along upon his bed: for he was filled
with wine.
13:3 Now Judith had commanded
her maid to stand without her bedchamber, and to wait for her. coming forth,
as she did daily: for she said she would go forth to her prayers, and she spake
to Bagoas according to the same purpose.
13:4 So all went forth
and none was left in the bedchamber, neither little nor great. Then Judith,
standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lord God of all power, look at this
present upon the works of mine hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem.
13:5 For now is the time
to help thine inheritance, and to execute thine enterprizes to the destruction
of the enemies which are risen against us.
13:6 Then she came to
the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes' head, and took down his fauchion
from thence,
13:7 And approached to
his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O Lord
God of Israel, this day.
13:8 And she smote twice
upon his neck with all her might, and she took away his head from him.
13:9 And tumbled his
body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy from the pillars; and anon
after she went forth, and gave Holofernes his head to her maid;
13:10 And she put it
in her bag of meat: so they twain went together according to their custom unto
prayer: and when they passed the camp, they compassed the valley, and went up
the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof.
13:11 Then said Judith
afar off, to the watchmen at the gate, Open, open now the gate: God, even our
God, is with us, to shew his power yet in Jerusalem, and his forces against
the enemy, as he hath even done this day.
13:12 Now when the men
of her city heard her voice, they made haste to go down to the gate of their
city, and they called the elders of the city.
13:13 And then they
ran all together, both small and great, for it was strange unto them that she
was come: so they opened the gate, and received them, and made a fire for a
light, and stood round about them.
13:14 Then she said
to them with a loud voice, Praise, praise God, praise God, I say, for he hath
not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies
by mine hands this night.
13:15 So she took the
head out of the bag, and shewed it, and said unto them, behold the head of Holofernes,
the chief captain of the army of Assur, and behold the canopy, wherein he did
lie in his drunkenness; and the Lord hath smitten him by the hand of a woman.
13:16 As the Lord liveth,
who hath kept me in my way that I went, my countenance hath deceived him to
his destruction, and yet hath he not committed sin with me, to defile and shame
me.
13:17 Then all the people
were wonderfully astonished, and bowed themselves and worshipped God, and said
with one accord, Blessed be thou, O our God, which hast this day brought to
nought the enemies of thy people.
13:18 Then said Ozias
unto her, O daughter, blessed art thou of the most high God above all the women
upon the earth; and blessed be the Lord God, which hath created the heavens
and the earth, which hath directed thee to the cutting off of the head of the
chief of our enemies.
13:19 For this thy confidence
shall not depart from the heart of men, which remember the power of God for
ever.
13:20 And God turn these
things to thee for a perpetual praise, to visit thee in good things because
thou hast not spared thy life for the affliction of our nation, but hast revenged
our ruin, walking a straight way before our God. And all the people said; So
be it, so be it.
chapter 14
14:1 Then said Judith unto
them, Hear me now, my brethren, and take this head, and hang it upon the highest
place of your walls.
14:2 And so soon as the
morning shall appear, and the sun shall come forth upon the earth, take ye every
one his weapons, and go forth every valiant man out of the city, and set ye
a captain over them, as though ye would go down into the field toward the watch
of the Assyrians; but go not down.
14:3 Then they shall
take their armour, and shall go into their camp, and raise up the captains of
the army of Assur, and shall run to the tent of Holofernes, but shall not find
him: then fear shall fall upon them, and they shall flee before your face.
14:4 So ye, and all that
inhabit the coast of Israel, shall pursue them, and overthrow them as they go.
14:5 But before ye do
these things, call me Achior the Ammonite, that he may see and know him that
despised the house of Israel, and that sent him to us as it were to his death.
14:6 Then they called
Achior out of the house of Ozias; and when he was come, and saw the head of
Holofernes in a man's hand in the assembly of the people, he fell down on his
face, and his spirit failed.
14:7 But when they had
recovered him, he fell at Judith's feet, and reverenced her, and said, Blessed
art thou in all the tabernacles of Juda, and in all nations, which hearing thy
name shall be astonished.
14:8 Now therefore tell
me all the things that thou hast done in these days. Then Judith declared unto
him in the midst of the people all that she had done, from the day that she
went forth until that hour she spake unto them.
14:9 And when she had
left off speaking, the people shouted with a loud voice, and made a joyful noise
in their city.
14:10 And when Achior
had seen all that the God of Israel had done, he believed in God greatly, and
circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and was joined unto the house of Israel
unto this day.
14:11 And as soon as
the morning arose, they hanged the head of Holofernes upon the wall, and every
man took his weapons, and they went forth by bands unto the straits of the mountain.
14:12 But when the Assyrians
saw them, they sent to their leaders, which came to their captains and tribunes,
and to every one of their rulers.
14:13 So they came to
Holofernes' tent, and said to him that had the charge of all his things, Waken
now our lord: for the slaves have been bold to come down against us to battle,
that they may be utterly destroyed.
14:14 Then went in Bagoas,
and knocked at the door of the tent; for he thought that he had slept with Judith.
14:15 But because none
answered, he opened it, and went into the bedchamber, and found him cast upon
the floor dead, and his head was taken from him.
14:16 Therefore he cried
with a loud voice, with weeping, and sighing, and a mighty cry, and rent his
garments.
14:17 After he went
into the tent where Judith lodged: and when he found her not, he leaped out
to the people, and cried,
14:18 These slaves have
dealt treacherously; one woman of the Hebrews hath brought shame upon the house
of king Nabuchodonosor: for, behold, Holofernes lieth upon the ground without
a head.
14:19 When the captains
of the Assyrians' army heard these words, they rent their coats and their minds
were wonderfully troubled, and there was a cry and a very great noise throughout
the camp.
chapter 15
15:1 And when they that
were in the tents heard, they were astonished at the thing that was done.
15:2 And fear and trembling
fell upon them, so that there was no man that durst abide in the sight of his
neighbour, but rushing out all together, they fled into every way of the plain,
and of the hill country.
15:3 They also that had
camped in the mountains round about Bethulia fled away. Then the children of
Israel, every one that was a warrior among them, rushed out upon them.
15:4 Then sent Ozias
to Betomasthem, and to Bebai, and Chobai, and Cola and to all the coasts of
Israel, such as should tell the things that were done, and that all should rush
forth upon their enemies to destroy them.
15:5 Now when the children
of Israel heard it, they all fell upon them with one consent, and slew them
unto Chobai: likewise also they that came from Jerusalem, and from all the hill
country, (for men had told them what things were done in the camp of their enemies)
and they that were in Galaad, and in Galilee, chased them with a great slaughter,
until they were past Damascus and the borders thereof.
15:6 And the residue
that dwelt at Bethulia, fell upon the camp of Assur, and spoiled them, and were
greatly enriched.
15:7 And the children
of Israel that returned from the slaughter had that which remained; and the
villages and the cities, that were in the mountains and in the plain, gat many
spoils: for the multitude was very great.
15:8 Then Joacim the
high priest, and the ancients of the children of Israel that dwelt in Jerusalem,
came to behold the good things that God had shewed to Israel, and to see Judith,
and to salute her.
15:9 And when they came
unto her, they blessed her with one accord, and said unto her, Thou art the
exaltation of Jerusalem, thou art the great glory of Israel, thou art the great
rejoicing of our nation:
15:10 Thou hast done
all these things by thine hand: thou hast done much good to Israel, and God
is pleased therewith: blessed be thou of the Almighty Lord for evermore. And
all the people said, So be it.
15:11 And the people
spoiled the camp the space of thirty days: and they gave unto Judith Holofernes
his tent, and all his plate, and beds, and vessels, and all his stuff: and she
took it and laid it on her mule; and made ready her carts, and laid them thereon.
15:12 Then all the women
of Israel ran together to see her, and blessed her, and made a dance among them
for her: and she took branches in her hand, and gave also to the women that
were with her.
15:13 And they put a
garland of olive upon her and her maid that was with her, and she went before
all the people in the dance, leading all the women: and all the men of Israel
followed in their armour with garlands, and with songs in their mouths.
chapter 16
16:1 Then Judith began
to sing this thanksgiving in all Israel, and all the people sang after her this
song of praise.
16:2 And Judith said,
Begin unto my God with timbrels, sing unto my Lord with cymbals: tune unto him
a new psalm: exalt him, and call upon his name.
16:3 For God breaketh
the battles: for among the camps in the midst of the people he hath delivered
me out of the hands of them that persecuted me.
16:4 Assur came out of
the mountains from the north, he came with ten thousands of his army, the multitude
whereof stopped the torrents, and their horsemen have covered the hills.
16:5 He bragged that
he would burn up my borders, and kill my young men with the sword, and dash
the sucking children against the ground, and make mine infants as a prey, and
my virgins as a spoil.
16:6 But the Almighty
Lord hath disappointed them by the hand of a woman.
16:7 For the mighty one
did not fall by the young men, neither did the sons of the Titans smite him,
nor high giants set upon him: but Judith the daughter of Merari weakened him
with the beauty of her countenance.
16:8 For she put off
the garment of her widowhood for the exaltation of those that were oppressed
in Israel, and anointed her face with ointment, and bound her hair in a tire,
and took a linen garment to deceive him.
16:9 Her sandals ravished
his eyes, her beauty took his mind prisoner, and the fauchion passed through
his neck.
16:10 The Persians quaked
at her boldness, and the Medes were daunted at her hardiness.
16:11 Then my afflicted
shouted for joy, and my weak ones cried aloud; but they were astonished: these
lifted up their voices, but they were overthrown.
16:12 The sons of the
damsels have pierced them through, and wounded them as fugatives' children:
they perished by the battle of the Lord.
16:13 I will sing unto
the Lord a new song: O Lord, thou art great and glorious, wonderful in strength,
and invincible.
16:14 Let all creatures
serve thee: for thou spakest, and they were made, thou didst send forth thy
spirit, and it created them, and there is none that can resist thy voice.
16:15 For the mountains
shall be moved from their foundations with the waters, the rocks shall melt
as wax at thy presence: yet thou art merciful to them that fear thee.
16:16 For all sacrifice
is too little for a sweet savour unto thee, and all the fat is not sufficient
for thy burnt offering: but he that feareth the Lord is great at all times.
16:17 Woe to the nations
that rise up against my kindred! the Lord Almighty will take vengeance of them
in the day of judgment, in putting fire and worms in their flesh; and they shall
feel them, and weep for ever.
16:18 Now as soon as
they entered into Jerusalem, they worshipped the Lord; and as soon as the people
were purified, they offered their burnt offerings, and their free offerings,
and their gifts.
16:19 Judith also dedicated
all the stuff of Holofernes, which the people had given her, and gave the canopy,
which she had taken out of his bedchamber, for a gift unto the Lord.
16:20 So the people
continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary for the space of three
months and Judith remained with them.
16:21 After this time
every one returned to his own inheritance, and Judith went to Bethulia, and
remained in her own possession, and was in her time honourable in all the country.
16:22 And many desired
her, but none knew her all the days of her life, after that Manasses her husband
was dead, and was gathered to his people.
16:23 But she increased
more and more in honour, and waxed old in her husband's house, being an hundred
and five years old, and made her maid free; so she died in Bethulia: and they
buried her in the cave of her husband Manasses.
16:24 And the house
of Israel lamented her seven days: and before she died, she did distribute her
goods to all them that were nearest of kindred to Manasses her husband, and
to them that were the nearest of her kindred.
16:25 And there was
none that made the children of Israel any more afraid in the days of Judith,
nor a long time after her death.