Judith 10
1Now after that she had ceased to cry to the God of Israel, and bad made an end of all these words.
2She 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,
3And 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.
4And 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.
5Then 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.
6Thus 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.
7And when they saw her, that her countenance was altered, and her apparel was changed, they wondered at her beauty very greatly, and said to her.
8The God, the God of our fathers give you favor, and accomplish your enterprizes to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem. Then they worshipped God.
9And she said to them, Command the gates of the city to be opened to me, that I may go forth to accomplish the things whereof you have spoken with me. So they commanded the young men to open to her, as she had spoken.
10And 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.
11Thus they went straight forth in the valley: and the first watch of the Assyrians met her,
12And took her, and asked her, Of what people are you? and whence come you? and whither go you? And she said, I am a woman of the Hebrews, and am fled from them: for they shall be given you to be consumed:
13And I am coming before Holofernes the chief captain of your army, to declare words of truth; and I will show 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.
14Now when the men heard her words, and [*]saw her countenance, they wondered greatly at her beauty, and said to her,
15You have saved your life, in that you have hasted to come down to the presence of our lord: now therefore come to his tent, and some of us shall conduct you, until they have delivered you to his hands.
16And when you stand before him, be not afraid in your heart, but show to him according to your word; and he will entreat you well.
17Then they chose out of them an hundred men to accompany her and her maid; and they brought her to the tent of Holofernes.
18Then 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.
19And they wondered at her beauty, and admired the children of Israel because of her, and every one said to his neighbor, 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.
20And they that lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants and they brought her into the tent.
21Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was woven with purple, and gold, and emeralds, and precious stones.
22So they showed him of her; and he came out before his tent with silver lamps going before him.
23And when Judith was come before him and his servants they all marveled at the beauty of her countenance; and she fell down upon her face, and did reverence to him: and his servants took her up.
Commentaries for Judith 10:0