Christian Community Bible
Judith
10
1 When Judith had finished her prayer to the God of Israel, 2 she rose from the ground, and after calling her maidservant, she went down into the house where she usually spent the sabbath days and the feasts. 3 She took off the sackcloth and her widows clothes in which she was dressed. She washed her whole body with water, anointed it with rich perfume, combed her hair and placed a jewelled band around it. She dressed herself in the beautiful garments she had been accustomed to wear when her husband, Manasseh, was living. 4 She put sandals on her feet, put on her anklets, bracelets and rings, her earrings and all her jewels. She made herself extremely beautiful in order to attract the attention of the men who would see her.
5 She gave the servant a skin of wine and a jar of oil, she filled a bag with flour made from barley and some small cakes made from dried figs and fine flour. She wrapped up all these things and put the maid in charge of them. 6 Then they set out in the direction of the gate of the town of Bethulia where they found stationed Uzziah and the elders of the town, Chabris and Charmis.
7 As soon as the men saw her, her face so transformed and her clothes so different, they were full of admiration for her beauty and said to her, 8 May the God of our fathers grant that you may find favor and that your undertakings may be successful for the glory of the sons of Israel and the exaltation of Jerusalem.
8 She adored God and said to them, 9 Command that the gate of the town be opened for me and I will go forth in order to accomplish what you have just said. They ordered the young men to open the gate as she had asked. 10 They carried out the command and Judith went out with her maidservant.
10 The townsmen watched her until she reached the foot of the mountain and crossed the valley, then they lost sight of her. 11 Judith and the maid walked straight through the valley and a sentry for the Assyrians came to meet them. 12 He stopped them and asked, Who are you? Where have you come from? Where are you going? She replied, I am a daughter of the Hebrews
14 As soon as the men had heard her words and noticed her face (for she was strikingly beautiful) they said to her, 15 You have saved your life by hurrying to present yourself before our lord. Ap proach his tent
17 They chose one hundred men from their number
20 Those who were sleeping near Holofernes and all his officers came out and led her into the tent. 21 Holo fernes was lying on his bed under hangings of purple and gold set with emerald and precious stones. 22 Having been informed about her, he moved towards the en trance of the tent, with silver lamps carried before him. 23 As Judith came before him and his officers, they all admired the beauty of her face. Throwing herself face downwards to the ground, she bowed before him
The exploits of Judith
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