The Book of
Judith
1:1 In the twelfth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, who reigned in 9ve,
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 Betana, and Chellus, 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 9ve, 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.
Judith 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 them, 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 multitude 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 9ve 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 Ismael, 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 sheep-cotes.
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.
Judith 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.
Judith 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.
Judith 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 champaign 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 theirs, 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.
Judith 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.
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 not 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 Gothonial, 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.
Judith 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 Cyamon, 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 famine,
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.
Judith 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 Oziel, 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
Salasadai, 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 men-servants and
maid-servants, and cattle, and lands; and she remained upon them.
8:8 And there was none that gave her an ill word; for 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 waiting woman, 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
waiting-woman: 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.
Judith 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.
Judith 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 ear-rings, 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.
Judith 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 first-fruits of the corn, and 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 license 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.
Judith 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.
Judith 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 bed-chamber, 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 bed-chamber, 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 falchion 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.
Judith 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 bed-chamber,
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.
Judith 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' 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.
Judith 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
falchion 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
fugitives' 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 bed-chamber, 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.
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