The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Judith 10
1 It came to pass, when she had ceased to
cry to the God of Israel, and had finished
saying all these words,
2 that she rose up where she had fallen
down, called her maid, and went down
into the house that she lived on the Sabbath
days and on her feast days.
3 She pulled off the sackcloth which she
had put on, took off the garments of her
widowhood, washed her body all over
with water, anointed herself with rich
ointment, braided the hair of her head,
and put a tiara upon it. She put on her
garments of gladness, which she used to
wear in the days ofthe life of Manasses her
husband.
4 She took sandals for her feet, and put
on her anklet, bracelets, rings, earrings,
and all her jewelry. She made herself very
beautiful to deceive the eyes of all men
who would see her.
5 She gave her maid a leather container
of wine and a flask of oil, and filled a bag
with roasted grain, lumps of figs, and fine
bread. She packed all her vessels together,
and laid them upon her.
6 They went out to the gate of the city of
Bethulia, and found Ozias and the elders of
the city, Chabris and Charmis standing by
it.
7 But when they saw her, that her countenance
was altered and her apparel was
changed, they were greatly astonished by
her beauty and said to her,
8 “May the God of our fathers give you
favor, and accomplish your purposes to
the glory of the children of Israel, and to
the exaltation of Jerusalem.”
Then she worshiped God,
9 and said to them, “Command that they
open the gate of the city for me, and I will
go out to accomplish the things you spoke
with me about.” And they commanded the young men to
open to her, as she had spoken;
10 and they did so.
Then Judith went out, she, and her
handmaid with her. The men of the city
watched her until she had gone down the
mountain, until she had passed the valley,
and they could see her no more.
11 They went straight onward in the valley.
The watch of the Assyrians met her;
12 and they took her, and asked her, “Of
what people are you? Where are you coming
from? Where are you going?” She said,
“I am a daughter of the Hebrews. I am
fleeing away from their presence, because
they are about to be given you to be consumed.
13 I am coming into the presence of
Holofernes the chief captain of your army,
to declare words of truth. I will show him
a way that he can go and win all the hill
country, and there willnot be lacking of his
men one person, nor one life.”
14 Now when the men heard her words,
and considered her countenance, the
beauty thereof was exceedingly marvelous
in their eyes. They said to her,
15 “You have saved your life, in that you
have hurried to come down to the presence of our
master. Now come to his tent. Some of us will
guide you untilthey deliver you into his hands.
16 But when† you stand before him, don’t
be afraid in your heart, but declare to him
what you just said, and he will treat you
well.”
17 They chose out of them a hundred
men, and appointed them to accompany
her and her maid; and they brought them
to the tent of Holofernes.
18 And there was great excitement
throughout all the camp, for her coming
was reported among the tents. They came
and surrounded her as she stood outside
Holofernes’ tent, until they told him about
her.
19 They marveled at her beauty, and
marveled at the children of Israel because
of her. Each one said to his neighbor,
“Who would despise these people, who
have among them such women? For it
is not good that one man of them be left,
seeing that, if they are let go, they will be
able to deceive the whole earth.
20 Then the guards of Holofernes and all
his servants came out and brought her into
the tent.
21 And Holofernes was resting upon his
bed under the canopy, which was woven
with purple, gold, emeralds, and precious
stones.
22 And they told him about her; and he
came out into the space before his tent,
with silver lamps going before him.
23 But when Judith had come before him
and his servants, they all marveled at the
beauty of her countenance. She fell down
upon her face and bowed down to him, but
his servants raised her up.