[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,
[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:
[3] And set the towers thereof upon the gates of it an hundred cubits
high, and the breadth thereof in the foundation threescore cubits:
[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:
[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.
[6] And there came unto him all they that dwelt in the hill country, and
all that dwelt by Euphrates, and
[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,
[8] And to those among the nations that were of Carmel, and Galaad, and
the higher Galilee, and the great plain of Esdrelom,
[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,
[10] Until ye come beyond Tanis and Memphis, and to all the inhabitants
of Egypt, until ye come to the borders of Ethiopia.
[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.
[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.
[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,
[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.
[15] He took also Arphaxad in the mountains of Ragau, and smote him
through with his darts, and destroyed him utterly that day.
[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.
[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] 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.
[3] Then they decreed to destroy all flesh, that did not obey the
commandment of his mouth.
[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.
[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.
[6] And thou shalt go against all the west country, because they
disobeyed my commandment.
[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:
[8] So that their slain shall fill their valleys and brooks and the
river shall be filled with their dead, till it overflow:
[9] And I will lead them captives to the utmost parts of all the earth.
[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.
[11] But concerning them that rebel, let not thine eye spare them; but
put them to the slaughter, and spoil them wheresoever thou goest.
[12] For as I live, and by the power of my kingdom, whatsoever I have
spoken, that will I do by mine hand.
[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.
[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;
[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;
[16] And he ranged them, as a great army is ordered for the war.
[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:
[18] And plenty of victual for every man of the army, and very much gold
and silver out of the king's house.
[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.
[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.
[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
[22] Then he took all his army, his footmen, and horsemen and chariots,
and went from thence into the hill country;
[23] And destroyed Phud and Lud, and spoiled all the children of Rasses,
and the children of
[24] Then he went over Euphrates, and went through
[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
[26] He compassed also all the children of Madian, and burned up their
tabernacles, and spoiled their sheepcotes.
[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.
[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.
[1] So they sent ambassadors unto him to treat of
peace, saying,
[2] Behold, we the servants of Nabuchodonosor the great king lie before
thee; use us as shall be good in thy sight.
[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.
[4] Behold, even our cities and the inhabitants thereof are thy
servants; come and deal with them as seemeth good unto thee.
[5] So the men came to Holofernes, and declared unto him after this
manner.
[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.
[7] So they and all the country round about received them with garlands,
with dances, and with timbrels.
[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.
[9] Also he came over against Esdraelon near unto Judea, over against
the great
[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.
[1] Now the children of
[2] Therefore they were exceedingly afraid of him, and were troubled for
Jerusalem, and for the temple of the Lord their God:
[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] 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:
[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.
[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,
[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.
[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.
[9] Then every man of Israel cried to God with great fervency, and with
great vehemency did they humble their souls:
[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.
[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,
[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.
[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.
[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,
[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.
[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:
[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,
[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;
[4] And why have they determined not to come and meet me, more than all
the inhabitants of the west.
[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.
[6] This people are descended of the Chaldeans:
[7] And they sojourned heretofore in Mesopotamia, because they would not
follow the gods of their fathers, which were in the land of Chaldea.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[13] And God dried the Red sea before them,
[14] And brought them to mount Sina, and Cades-Barne, and cast forth all
that dwelt in the wilderness.
[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.
[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.
[17] And whilst they sinned not before their God, they prospered,
because the God that hateth iniquity was with them.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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
[24] Now therefore, lord Holofernes, we will go up, and they shall be a
prey to be devoured of all thine army.
[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,
[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?
[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.
[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.
[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] 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.
[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:
[8] And thou shalt not perish, till thou be destroyed with them.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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:
[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.
[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.
[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.
[18] Then the people fell down and worshipped God, and cried unto God.
saying,
[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.
[20] Then they comforted Achior, and praised him greatly.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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] 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.
[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,
[9] Let our lord now hear a word, that there be not an overthrow in
thine army.
[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.
[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.
[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:
[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.
[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.
[15] Thus shalt thou render them an evil reward; because they rebelled,
and met not thy person peaceably.
[16] And these words pleased Holofernes and all his servants, and he
appointed to do as they had spoken.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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,
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[31] And if these days pass, and there come no help unto us, I will do
according to your word.
[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.
[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.
[2] And Manasses was her husband, of her tribe and kindred, who died in
the barley harvest.
[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.
[4] So Judith was a widow in her house three years and four months.
[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.
[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.
[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] And there was none that gave her an ill word; ar she feared God
greatly.
[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;
[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.
[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.
[12] And now who are ye that have tempted God this day, and stand
instead of God among the children of men?
[13] And now try the Lord Almighty, but ye shall never know any thing.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[19] For the which cause our fathers were given to the sword, and for a
spoil, and had a great fall before our enemies.
[20] But we know none other god, therefore we trust that he will not
dispise us, nor any of our nation.
[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.
[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.
[23] For our servitude shall not be directed to favour: but the Lord our
God shall turn it to dishonour.
[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.
[25] Moreover let us give thanks to the Lord our God, which trieth us,
even as he did our fathers.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[34] But enquire not ye of mine act: for I will not declare it unto you,
till the things be finished that I do.
[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.
[36] So they returned from the tent, and went to their wards.
[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,
[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:
[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;
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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] Behold their pride, and send thy wrath upon their heads: give into
mine hand, which am a widow, the power that I have conceived.
[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.
[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.
[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:
[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.
[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.
[1] Now after that she had ceased to cry unto the God
of Israel, and bad made an end of all these words.
[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,
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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] 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.
[11] Thus they went straight forth in the valley: and the first watch of
the Assyrians met her,
[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:
[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.
[14] Now when the men heard her words, and beheld her countenance, they
wondered greatly at her beauty, and said unto her,
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[20] And they that lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants
and they brought her into the tent.
[21] Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was woven
with purple, and gold, and emeralds, and precious stones.
[22] So they shewed him of her; and he came out before his tent with
silver lamps going before him.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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:
[4] For none shall hurt thee, but entreat thee well, as they do the
servants of king Nabuchodonosor my lord.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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] 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:
[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:
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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:
[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.
[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.
[20] Then her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants; and they
marvelled at her wisdom, and said,
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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,
[6] And sent to Holofernes, saving, Let my lord now command that thine
handmaid may go forth unto prayer.
[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.
[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.
[9] So she came in clean, and remained in the tent, until she did eat
her meat at evening.
[10] And in the fourth day Holofernes made a feast to his own servants
only, and called none of the officers to the banquet.
[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] 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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[17] Then said Holofernes unto her, Drink now, and be merry with us.
[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.
[19] Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had
prepared.
[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.
[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.
[2] And Judith was left along in the tent, and Holofernes lying along
upon his bed: for he was filled with wine.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[6] Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes'
head, and took down his fauchion from thence,
[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.
[8] And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took
away his head from him.
[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;
[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.
[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.
[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] 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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[19] For this thy confidence shall not depart from the heart of men,
which remember the power of God for ever.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[4] So ye, and all that inhabit the coast of Israel, shall pursue them,
and overthrow them as they go.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[9] And when she had left off speaking, the people shouted with a loud
voice, and made a joyful noise in their city.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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] Then went in Bagoas, and knocked at the door of the tent; for he
thought that he had slept with Judith.
[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.
[16] Therefore he cried with a loud voice, with weeping, and sighing,
and a mighty cry, and rent his garments.
[17] After he went into the tent where Judith lodged: and when he found
her not, he leaped out to the people, and cried,
[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.
[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.
[1] And when they that were in the tents heard, they
were astonished at the thing that was done.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[6] And the residue that dwelt at Bethulia, fell upon the camp of Assur,
and spoiled them, and were greatly enriched.
[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.
[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.
[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:
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[1] Then Judith began to sing this thanksgiving in
all
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[6] But the Almighty Lord hath disappointed them by the hand of a woman.
[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.
[8] For she put off the garment of her widowhood for the exaltation of
those that were oppressed in
[9] Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty took his mind prisoner,
and the fauchion passed through his neck.
[10] The Persians quaked at her boldness, and the Medes were daunted at
her hardiness.
[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.
[12] The sons of the damsels have pierced them through, and wounded them
as fugatives' children: they perished by the battle of the Lord.
[13] I will sing unto the Lord a new song: O Lord, thou art great and
glorious, wonderful in strength, and invincible.
[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.
[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] 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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[20] So the people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary
for the space of three months and Judith remained with them.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.