Judith

14:10 And when Achior had seen all that the God of Israel had done, he believed in God greatly; and he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin and was joined to the house of Israel unto this day. 14:11 And as soon as morning arose, they hung the head of Holofernes on the wall, and every man took his weapons, and they went forth by bands to the straits of the mountain. 14:12 But when the Assyrians saw them, they sent word to their leaders, who went to their captains and tribunes, and to every one of their rulers. 14:13 So they came to Holofernes' tent, and said to him who had the charge of all his things, "Awaken our lord now, for the slaves have been so bold as to come down against us in battle, so that they may be utterly destroyed." 14:14 Then Bagoas went in and knocked at the door of the tent; for he thought that he had slept with Judith. 14:15 But, because no one answered, he opened it and went into the bedroom; and he found him cast upon the floor dead, and his head had been taken from him. 14:16 Therefore he cried with a loud voice, with weeping and sighing and a mighty cry, and he tore his garments. 14:17 After this, he went into the tent where Judith lodged, and when he did not find her, he dashed out to the people and cried, 14:18 "These slaves have dealt treacherously; one woman of the Hebrews has brought shame on the house of king Nebuchadnezzar; for, behold, Holofernes lies on the ground without a head!"

14:18 "These slaves have dealt treacherously; one woman of the Hebrews has brought shame on the house of king Nebuchadnezzar; for, behold, Holofernes lies on the ground without a head!" 14:19 When the captains of the Assyrians' army heard these words, they tore their coats, and their minds were exceptionally troubled; and there was a cry and a very great noise throughout the camp. 15:1 And when those who were in the tents heard, they were astonished at what had happened. 15:2 And fear and trembling fell upon them, so that there was no man who dared to remain in the sight of his neighbor, but rushing out all together, they fled in every direction of the plain and of the hill country. 15:3 Those who had camped in the mountains surrounding Bethulia also fled away. Then the children of Israel, every one who was a warrior among them, rushed out upon them. 15:4 Then Uzziah sent to Betomasthem and to Bebai and Chobai and Cola and to all the coasts of Israel, to declare all that had happened and to tell them 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 all the way to Chobai; and those who came from Jerusalem and from all the hill country did likewise, for men had told them what had happened in the camp of their enemies, and those who were in Galaad and in Galilee chased them with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and its borders.

15:5 Now when the children of Israel heard it, they all fell upon them with one consent and slew them all the way to Chobai; and those who came from Jerusalem and from all the hill country did likewise, for men had told them what had happened in the camp of their enemies, and those who were in Galaad and in Galilee chased them with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and its borders. 15:6 And the remnant who lived at Bethulia fell upon the camp of Assur and pillaged them, and they were greatly enriched. 15:7 And the children of Israel who had returned from the slaughter took what remained; and the villages and the cities, which were in the mountains and on the plain, obtained many spoils, for their number was very great. 15:8 Then Joacim the high priest and the elders of the children of Israel who lived in Jerusalem came to behold the good things that God had done for Israel, and to see Judith and greet her. 15:9 And when they came to her, they blessed her with one accord and said to her, "You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great glory of Israel, you are the great rejoicing of our nation. 15:10 You have done all these things by your hand. You have done much good to Israel, and God is pleased with it; you will be blessed by the Almighty Lord for evermore." And all the people said, "Amen!" 15:11 And the people despoiled the camp for the space of thirty days. And they gave the tent of Holofernes to Judith, and all his plates and beds and vessels and all his belongings; and she took it and laid it on her mule; and she prepared her cart and laid them on it.

15:11 And the people despoiled the camp for the space of thirty days. And they gave the tent of Holofernes to Judith, and all his plates and beds and vessels and all his belongings; and she took it and laid it on her mule; and she prepared her cart and laid them on it. 15:12 Then all the women of Israel ran together to see her, and they blessed her and made a dance among them for her; and she took branches in her hand and gave some also to the women who were with her. 15:13 And they put a garland of olive upon her and on her maid who 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 amour with garlands, and with songs in their mouths. 16:1 Then Judith began to sing this thanksgiving for all Israel, and all the people sang after her this song of praise. 16:2 And Judith said, "Begin to my God with timbrels; sing to my Lord with cymbals; tune to him a new psalm; exalt him and call upon his name. 16:3 For God breaks the battles. For among the camps, in the midst of the people, he has delivered me out of the hands of those who persecuted me. 16:4 Assur came out of the mountains from the north, he came with ten thousands of his army, their great number stopped the torrents and their horsemen 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 infants against the ground, and make my young children as a prey, and my virgins as a spoil.

16:5 He bragged that he would burn up my borders, and kill my young men with the sword, and dash the infants against the ground, and make my young children as a prey, and my virgins as a spoil. 16:6 But the Almighty Lord has 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 strike him, nor did lofty 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 who were oppressed in Israel, and anointed her face with ointment, and bound her hair in a headdress, and put on a linen garment, to deceive him. 16:9 Her sandals ravished his eyes; her beauty took his mind prisoner; and the broadsword passed through his neck. 16:10 The Persians quaked at her boldness; and the Medes were daunted by 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 gentlewomen have pierced them through and wounded them as fugitives' children; they perished by the battle of the Lord. 16:13 I will sing to the Lord a new song. O Lord, you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, and invincible. 16:14 Let all creatures serve you. For you spoke and they were made; you sent forth your spirit and it created them; and there is none who can resist your voice.

16:14 Let all creatures serve you. For you spoke and they were made; you sent forth your spirit and it created them; and there is none who can resist your voice. 16:15 For the mountains will be moved from their foundations with the waters; the rocks will melt like wax at your presence. Yet you are merciful to those who fear you. 16:16 For all sacrifice is too little to be a sweet fragrance for you and all the fat is not sufficient for your burnt offering, but he who fears the Lord is great at all times. 16:17 Woe to the nations who rise up against my kindred! The Lord Almighty will take vengeance upon them on the Day of Judgment by putting fire and worms in their flesh; and they will feel them and will 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 belongings of Holofernes, which the people had given her, and she gave the canopy, which she had taken out of his bedroom, as a gift to 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 during her time she was held in honor throughout the country.

16:22 And many desired her, but none knew her all the days of her life, after Manasseh her husband was dead and was gathered to his people. 16:23 But she increased more and more in honor; and she grew old in her husband's house, reaching the age of one hundred five years; and she made her woman servant free. So she died in Bethulia, and they buried her in the cave of her husband Manasseh. 16:24 And the house of Israel lamented for her seven days. And before she died, she distributed her goods to all those who were the nearest kindred of Manasseh her husband and to those who were the nearest of her kindred. 16:25 And there was no one who made the children of Israel afraid again during the days of Judith, nor for a long time after her death.