Holofernes in great rage sendeth Achior to Bethulia, there to be slain
with the Israelites.
6:1. And it came to pass when they had left off speaking, that
Holofernes being in a violent passion, said to Achior:
6:2. Because thou hast prophesied unto us, saying: That the nation of
Israel is defended by their God, to shew thee that there is no God, but
Nabuchodonosor:
6:3. When we shall slay them all as one man, then thou also shalt die
with them by the sword of the Assyrians, and all Israel shall perish
with thee:
6:4. And thou shalt find that Nabuchodonosor is lord of the whole
earth: and then the sword of my soldiers shall pass through thy sides,
and thou shalt be stabbed and fall among the wounded of Israel, and
thou shalt breathe no more till thou be destroyed with them.
6:5. But if thou think thy prophecy true, let not thy countenance sink,
and let the paleness that is in thy face, depart from thee, if thou
imaginest these my words cannot be accomplished.
6:6. And that thou mayst know that thou shalt experience these things
together with them, behold from this hour thou shalt be associated to
their people, that when they shall receive the punishment they deserve
from my sword, thou mayst fall under the same vengeance.
6:7. Then Holofernes commanded his servants to take Achior, and to lead
him to Bethulia, and to deliver him into the hands of the children of
Israel.
6:8. And the servants of Holofernes taking him, went through the
plains: but when they came near the mountains, the slingers came out
against them.
6:9. Then turning out of the way by the side of the mountain, they tied
Achior to a tree hand and foot, and so left him bound with ropes, and
returned to their master.
6:10. And the children of Israel coming down from Bethulia, came to
him, and loosing him they brought him to Bethulia, and setting him in
the midst of the people, asked him what was the matter that the
Assyrians had left him bound.
6:11. In those days the rulers there, were Ozias the son of Micha of
the tribe of Simeon, and Charmi, called also Gothoniel.
6:12. And Achior related in the midst of the ancients, and in the
presence of all the people, all that he had said being asked by
Holofernes: and how the people of Holofernes would have killed him for
this word,
6:13. And how Holofernes himself being angry had commanded him to be
delivered for this cause to the Israelites: that when he should
overcome the children of Israel, then he might command Achior also
himself to be put to death by diverse torments, for having said: The
God of heaven is their defender.
6:14. And when Achior had declared all these things, all the people
fell upon their faces, adoring the Lord, and all of them together
mourning and weeping poured out their prayers with one accord to the
Lord,
6:15. Saying: O Lord God of heaven and earth, behold their pride, and
look on our low condition, and have regard to the face of thy saints,
and shew that thou forsakest not them that trust on thee, and that thou
humblest them that presume of themselves, and glory in their own
strength.
6:16. So when their weeping was ended, and the people’s prayer, in
which they continued all the day, was concluded, they comforted Achior,
6:17. Saying: The God of our fathers, whose power thou hast set forth,
will make this return to thee, that thou rather shalt see their
destruction.
6:18. And when the Lord our God shall give this liberty to his
servants, let God be with thee also in the midst of us: that as it
shall please thee, so thou with all thine mayst converse with us.
6:19. Then Ozias, after the assembly was broken up, received him into
his house, and made him a great supper.
6:20. And all the ancients were invited, and they refreshed themselves
together after their fast was over.
6:21. And afterwards all the people were called together, and they
prayed all the night long within the church, desiring help of the God
of Israel.
The church.... That is, the synagogue or place where they met for
prayer.