Christian Community Bible
Judith
God works marvels
13
:B:1 When it was late, the ser vants hurried away. Bagoas dismissed from the presence of his master those who were standing around, and closed the tent from the outside. All the men hurried to bed for they were tired from having drunk too much. 2 So Judith was left alone in the tent with Holo fernes who, sodden with wine, had collapsed onto the bed. 3 Judith told her servant to stand outside the room and watch for her coming out be cause she would go out to pray, as she did each day. She also spoke to Bagoas in much the same way.
4 Everyone left the tent of Holo fernes, not one small or great re mained in the room. Judith, then, stood by Holo fernes bed and prayed in her heart, Lord God all-powerful, help me now in what I will do for the glory of Jeru salem. 5 For now is the time to support the cause of your peo ple and to ensure that my undertaking brings about the ruin of the ene mies who are drawn up against us.
6 Then she moved towards the bedpost near Holofernes head and took down the sword and, 7 ap proaching the bed, she seized the hair of his head saying, O Lord God of Israel, give me strength, this very moment! 8 Then with all her strength she struck his neck twice and cut off his head. 9 She then rolled his body from the bed and took off the hangings from the columns. Then she went out at once and gave the head of Holofernes to her servant 10 who put it in the bag in which she carried the food. Then they went out together as they used to do for prayer. After they had crossed the camp, they passed round the edge of the ravine, climb ed the mountain to Bethulia and reached the gates of the town.
11 Judith called from a distance to those who were keeping guard at the gates, Open, open the gates! God, our God, is with us! Today he has once again worked a miracle in Israel and exerted his power against our enemies. 12 As soon as the towns folk heard her voice, they called the elders and hurried down to the gates of the town. 13 They all ran together, from the smallest to the greatest, for they were waiting for her return. They opened the gates and welcomed the two wo men
Blessed are you among all women
:B:18 Uzziah said to her, My daughter, may the Most High God bless you more than all women on earth.
18 And blessed be the Lord God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has led you to behead the leader of our enemies.
19 Never will people forget the confidence you have shown
20 May God ensure your everlasting glory, and may he reward and bless you for you have risked your life when your race was humiliated.
20 You chose instead to do the best before God in order to prevent our downfall.
20 And all the people said, Amen! Amen!
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