The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Judith 15
1 When those who were in the tents
heard, they were amazed at what happened.
2 Trembling and fear fell upon them, and
no man dared stay any more in the sight
of his neighbor, but rushing out with one
accord, they fled into every way of the
plain and of the hill country.
3 Those who had encamped in the hill
country round about Bethulia fled away.
And then the children of Israel, every one
who was a warrior among them, rushed
out upon them.
4 Ozias sent to Betomasthaim, Bebai,
Chobai, and Chola, and to every border
of Israel, to tell about the things that had
been accomplished, and that all should
rush upon their enemies to destroy them.
5 But when the children of Israel heard
this, they all fell upon them with one accord,
and struck them to Chobai. Yes,
and in like manner also, people from
Jerusalem and from all the hill country
came (for men had told them about what
happened in their enemies’ camp), and
those who were in Gilead and in Galilee
fell upon their flank with a great slaughter,
until they were past Damascus and its borders.
6 The rest of the people who lived at
Bethulia fell upon the camp of Asshur, and
plundered them, and were enriched exceedingly.
7 The children of Israel returned from
the slaughter, and got possession of that
which remained. The villages and the
cities that were in the hill country and in
the plain country took many spoils; for
there was an exceedingly great supply.
8 Joakim the high priest, and the elders of
the children of Israel who lived
in Jerusalem, came to see the good things
which the Lord had showed to Israel, and
to see Judith and to greet her.
9 When they came to her, they all 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 race!
10 You have done all these things by your
hand. You have done with Israel the things
that are good, and God is pleased with it.
May you be blessed by the Almighty Lord
forever!” And all the people said, “Amen!”
11 And the people plundered the camp
for thirty days; and they gave Holofernes’
tentto Judith, along with all his silver cups,
his beds, his bowls, and all his furniture.
She took them, placed them on her mule,
preparedher wagons, and piled themonit.
12 And all the women of Israel ran together
to see her; and they blessed her, and
made a dance among them for her. She
took branches inher hand, and distributed
them to the women who were with her.†
13 Then they made themselves garlands
of olive, she and those who were with her,
and she went before all the people in the
dance, leading all the women. All the men
of Israel followed in their armor with garlands,
and with songs in their mouths.