1:1 In the twelfth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, who reigned in
Nineve, the great city; in the days of Arphaxad, which reigned over the
Medes in Ecbatane,
1:2 And built in Ecbatane walls round about of stones hewn three cubits
broad and six cubits long, and made the height of the wall seventy
cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits:
1:3 And set the towers thereof upon the gates of it an hundred cubits
high, and the breadth thereof in the foundation threescore cubits:
1:4 And he made the gates thereof, even gates that were raised to the
height of seventy cubits, and the breadth of them was forty cubits, for
the going forth of his mighty armies, and for the setting in array of
his footmen:
1:5 Even in those days king Nabuchodonosor made war with king Arphaxad
in the great plain, which is the plain in the borders of Ragau.
1:6 And there came unto him all they that dwelt in the hill country,
and all that dwelt by Euphrates, and Tigris and Hydaspes, and the plain
of Arioch the king of the Elymeans, and very many nations of the sons
of Chelod, assembled themselves to the battle.
1:7 Then Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians sent unto all that dwelt
in Persia, and to all that dwelt westward, and to those that dwelt in
Cilicia, and Damascus, and Libanus, and Antilibanus, and to all that
dwelt upon the sea coast,
1:8 And to those among the nations that were of Carmel, and Galaad, and
the higher Galilee, and the great plain of Esdrelom,
1:9 And to all that were in Samaria and the cities thereof, and beyond
Jordan unto Jerusalem, and Betane, and Chelus, and Kades, and the river
of Egypt, and Taphnes, and Ramesse, and all the land of Gesem,
1:10 Until ye come beyond Tanis and Memphis, and to all the inhabitants
of Egypt, until ye come to the borders of Ethiopia.
1:11 But all the inhabitants of the land made light of the commandment
of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians, neither went they with him to
the battle; for they were not afraid of him: yea, he was before them as
one man, and they sent away his ambassadors from them without effect,
and with disgrace.
1:12 Therefore Nabuchodonosor was very angry with all this country, and
sware by his throne and kingdom, that he would surely be avenged upon
all those coasts of Cilicia, and Damascus, and Syria, and that he would
slay with the sword all the inhabitants of the land of Moab, and the
children of Ammon, and all Judea, and all that were in Egypt, till ye
come to the borders of the two seas.
1:13 Then he marched in battle array with his power against king
Arphaxad in the seventeenth year, and he prevailed in his battle: for
he overthrew all the power of Arphaxad, and all his horsemen, and all
his chariots,
1:14 And became lord of his cities, and came unto Ecbatane, and took
the towers, and spoiled the streets thereof, and turned the beauty
thereof into shame.
1:15 He took also Arphaxad in the mountains of Ragau, and smote him
through with his darts, and destroyed him utterly that day.
1:16 So he returned afterward to Nineve, both he and all his company of
sundry nations being a very great multitude of men of war, and there he
took his ease, and banqueted, both he and his army, an hundred and
twenty days.
2:1 And in the eighteenth year, the two and twentieth day of the first
month, there was talk in the house of Nabuchodonosor king of the
Assyrians that he should, as he said, avenge himself on all the earth.
2:2 So he called unto him all his officers, and all his nobles, and
communicated with them his secret counsel, and concluded the afflicting
of the whole earth out of his own mouth.
2:3 Then they decreed to destroy all flesh, that did not obey the
commandment of his mouth.
2:4 And when he had ended his counsel, Nabuchodonosor king of the
Assyrians called Holofernes the chief captain of his army, which was
next unto him, and said unto him.
2:5 Thus saith the great king, the lord of the whole earth, Behold,
thou shalt go forth from my presence, and take with thee men that trust
in their own strength, of footmen an hundred and twenty thousand; and
the number of horses with their riders twelve thousand.
2:6 And thou shalt go against all the west country, because they
disobeyed my commandment.
2:7 And thou shalt declare unto that they prepare for me earth and
water: for I will go forth in my wrath against them and will cover the
whole face of the earth with the feet of mine army, and I will give
them for a spoil unto them:
2:8 So that their slain shall fill their valleys and brooks and the
river shall be filled with their dead, till it overflow:
2:9 And I will lead them captives to the utmost parts of all the earth.
2:10 Thou therefore shalt go forth, and take beforehand for me all
their coasts: and if they will yield themselves unto thee, thou shalt
reserve them for me till the day of their punishment.
2:11 But concerning them that rebel, let not thine eye spare them; but
put them to the slaughter, and spoil them wheresoever thou goest.
2:12 For as I live, and by the power of my kingdom, whatsoever I have
spoken, that will I do by mine hand.
2:13 And take thou heed that thou transgress none of the commandments
of thy lord, but accomplish them fully, as I have commanded thee, and
defer not to do them.
2:14 Then Holofernes went forth from the presence of his lord, and
called all the governors and captains, and the officers of the army of
Assur;
2:15 And he mustered the chosen men for the battle, as his lord had
commanded him, unto an hundred and twenty thousand, and twelve thousand
archers on horseback;
2:16 And he ranged them, as a great army is ordered for the war.
2:17 And he took camels and asses for their carriages, a very great
number; and sheep and oxen and goats without number for their
provision:
2:18 And plenty of victual for every man of the army, and very much
gold and silver out of the king’s house.
2:19 Then he went forth and all his power to go before king
Nabuchodonosor in the voyage, and to cover all the face of the earth
westward with their chariots, and horsemen, and their chosen footmen.
2:20 A great number also sundry countries came with them like locusts,
and like the sand of the earth: for the multitude was without number.
2:21 And they went forth of Nineve three days’ journey toward the plain
of Bectileth, and pitched from Bectileth near the mountain which is at
the left hand of the upper Cilicia.
2:22 Then he took all his army, his footmen, and horsemen and chariots,
and went from thence into the hill country;
2:23 And destroyed Phud and Lud, and spoiled all the children of
Rasses, and the children of Ismael, which were toward the wilderness at
the south of the land of the Chellians.
2:24 Then he went over Euphrates, and went through Mesopotamia, and
destroyed all the high cities that were upon the river Arbonai, till ye
come to the sea.
2:25 And he took the borders of Cilicia, and killed all that resisted
him, and came to the borders of Japheth, which were toward the south,
over against Arabia.
2:26 He compassed also all the children of Madian, and burned up their
tabernacles, and spoiled their sheepcotes.
2:27 Then he went down into the plain of Damascus in the time of wheat
harvest, and burnt up all their fields, and destroyed their flocks and
herds, also he spoiled their cities, and utterly wasted their
countries, and smote all their young men with the edge of the sword.
2:28 Therefore the fear and dread of him fell upon all the inhabitants
of the sea coasts, which were in Sidon and Tyrus, and them that dwelt
in Sur and Ocina, and all that dwelt in Jemnaan; and they that dwelt in
Azotus and Ascalon feared him greatly.
3:1 So they sent ambassadors unto him to treat of peace, saying,
3:2 Behold, we the servants of Nabuchodonosor the great king lie before
thee; use us as shall be good in thy sight.
3:3 Behold, our houses, and all our places, and all our fields of
wheat, and flocks, and herds, and all the lodges of our tents lie
before thy face; use them as it pleaseth thee.
3:4 Behold, even our cities and the inhabitants thereof are thy
servants; come and deal with them as seemeth good unto thee.
3:5 So the men came to Holofernes, and declared unto him after this
manner.
3:6 Then came he down toward the sea coast, both he and his army, and
set garrisons in the high cities, and took out of them chosen men for
aid.
3:7 So they and all the country round about received them with
garlands, with dances, and with timbrels.
3:8 Yet he did cast down their frontiers, and cut down their groves:
for he had decreed to destroy all the gods of the land, that all
nations should worship Nabuchodonosor only, and that all tongues and
tribes should call upon him as god.
3:9 Also he came over against Esdraelon near unto Judea, over against
the great strait of Judea.
3:10 And he pitched between Geba and Scythopolis, and there he tarried
a whole month, that he might gather together all the carriages of his
army.
4:1 Now the children of Israel, that dwelt in Judea, heard all that
Holofernes the chief captain of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians
had done to the nations, and after what manner he had spoiled all their
temples, and brought them to nought.
4:2 Therefore they were exceedingly afraid of him, and were troubled
for Jerusalem, and for the temple of the Lord their God:
4:3 For they were newly returned from the captivity, and all the people
of Judea were lately gathered together: and the vessels, and the altar,
and the house, were sanctified after the profanation.
4:4 Therefore they sent into all the coasts of Samaria, and the
villages and to Bethoron, and Belmen, and Jericho, and to Choba, and
Esora, and to the valley of Salem:
4:5 And possessed themselves beforehand of all the tops of the high
mountains, and fortified the villages that were in them, and laid up
victuals for the provision of war: for their fields were of late
reaped.
4:6 Also Joacim the high priest, which was in those days in Jerusalem,
wrote to them that dwelt in Bethulia, and Betomestham, which is over
against Esdraelon toward the open country, near to Dothaim,
4:7 Charging them to keep the passages of the hill country: for by them
there was an entrance into Judea, and it was easy to stop them that
would come up, because the passage was straight, for two men at the
most.
4:8 And the children of Israel did as Joacim the high priest had
commanded them, with the ancients of all the people of Israel, which
dwelt at Jerusalem.
4:9 Then every man of Israel cried to God with great fervency, and with
great vehemency did they humble their souls:
4:10 Both they, and their wives and their children, and their cattle,
and every stranger and hireling, and their servants bought with money,
put sackcloth upon their loins.
4:11 Thus every man and women, and the little children, and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, fell before the temple, and cast ashes upon
their heads, and spread out their sackcloth before the face of the
Lord: also they put sackcloth about the altar,
4:12 And cried to the God of Israel all with one consent earnestly,
that he would not give their children for a prey, and their wives for a
spoil, and the cities of their inheritance to destruction, and the
sanctuary to profanation and reproach, and for the nations to rejoice
at.
4:13 So God heard their prayers, and looked upon their afflictions: for
the people fasted many days in all Judea and Jerusalem before the
sanctuary of the Lord Almighty.
4:14 And Joacim the high priest, and all the priests that stood before
the Lord, and they which ministered unto the Lord, had their loins girt
with sackcloth, and offered the daily burnt offerings, with the vows
and free gifts of the people,
4:15 And had ashes on their mitres, and cried unto the Lord with all
their power, that he would look upon all the house of Israel
graciously.
5:1 Then was it declared to Holofernes, the chief captain of the army
of Assur, that the children of Israel had prepared for war, and had
shut up the passages of the hill country, and had fortified all the
tops of the high hills and had laid impediments in the champaign
countries:
5:2 Wherewith he was very angry, and called all the princes of Moab,
and the captains of Ammon, and all the governors of the sea coast,
5:3 And he said unto them, Tell me now, ye sons of Chanaan, who this
people is, that dwelleth in the hill country, and what are the cities
that they inhabit, and what is the multitude of their army, and wherein
is their power and strength, and what king is set over them, or captain
of their army;
5:4 And why have they determined not to come and meet me, more than all
the inhabitants of the west.
5:5 Then said Achior, the captain of all the sons of Ammon, Let my lord
now hear a word from the mouth of thy servant, and I will declare unto
thee the truth concerning this people, which dwelleth near thee, and
inhabiteth the hill countries: and there shall no lie come out of the
mouth of thy servant.
5:6 This people are descended of the Chaldeans:
5:7 And they sojourned heretofore in Mesopotamia, because they would
not follow the gods of their fathers, which were in the land of
Chaldea.
5:8 For they left the way of their ancestors, and worshipped the God of
heaven, the God whom they knew: so they cast them out from the face of
their gods, and they fled into Mesopotamia, and sojourned there many
days.
5:9 Then their God commanded them to depart from the place where they
sojourned, and to go into the land of Chanaan: where they dwelt, and
were increased with gold and silver, and with very much cattle.
5:10 But when a famine covered all the land of Chanaan, they went down
into Egypt, and sojourned there, while they were nourished, and became
there a great multitude, so that one could not number their nation.
5:11 Therefore the king of Egypt rose up against them, and dealt
subtilly with them, and brought them low with labouring in brick, and
made them slaves.
5:12 Then they cried unto their God, and he smote all the land of Egypt
with incurable plagues: so the Egyptians cast them out of their sight.
5:13 And God dried the Red sea before them,
5:14 And brought them to mount Sina, and Cades-Barne, and cast forth
all that dwelt in the wilderness.
5:15 So they dwelt in the land of the Amorites, and they destroyed by
their strength all them of Esebon, and passing over Jordan they
possessed all the hill country.
5:16 And they cast forth before them the Chanaanite, the Pherezite, the
Jebusite, and the Sychemite, and all the Gergesites, and they dwelt in
that country many days.
5:17 And whilst they sinned not before their God, they prospered,
because the God that hateth iniquity was with them.
5:18 But when they departed from the way which he appointed them, they
were destroyed in many battles very sore, and were led captives into a
land that was not theirs, and the temple of their God was cast to the
ground, and their cities were taken by the enemies.
5:19 But now are they returned to their God, and are come up from the
places where they were scattered, and have possessed Jerusalem, where
their sanctuary is, and are seated in the hill country; for it was
desolate.
5:20 Now therefore, my lord and governor, if there be any error against
this people, and they sin against their God, let us consider that this
shall be their ruin, and let us go up, and we shall overcome them.
5:21 But if there be no iniquity in their nation, let my lord now pass
by, lest their Lord defend them, and their God be for them, and we
become a reproach before all the world.
5:22 And when Achior had finished these sayings, all the people
standing round about the tent murmured, and the chief men of
Holofernes, and all that dwelt by the sea side, and in Moab, spake that
he should kill him.
5:23 For, say they, we will not be afraid of the face of the children
of Israel: for, lo, it is a people that have no strength nor power for
a strong battle
5:24 Now therefore, lord Holofernes, we will go up, and they shall be a
prey to be devoured of all thine army.
6:1 And when the tumult of men that were about the council was ceased,
Holofernes the chief captain of the army of Assur said unto Achior and
all the Moabites before all the company of other nations,
6:2 And who art thou, Achior, and the hirelings of Ephraim, that thou
hast prophesied against us as to day, and hast said, that we should not
make war with the people of Israel, because their God will defend them?
and who is God but Nabuchodonosor?
6:3 He will send his power, and will destroy them from the face of the
earth, and their God shall not deliver them: but we his servants will
destroy them as one man; for they are not able to sustain the power of
our horses.
6:4 For with them we will tread them under foot, and their mountains
shall be drunken with their blood, and their fields shall be filled
with their dead bodies, and their footsteps shall not be able to stand
before us, for they shall utterly perish, saith king Nabuchodonosor,
lord of all the earth: for he said, None of my words shall be in vain.
6:5 And thou, Achior, an hireling of Ammon, which hast spoken these
words in the day of thine iniquity, shalt see my face no more from this
day, until I take vengeance of this nation that came out of Egypt.
6:6 And then shall the sword of mine army, and the multitude of them
that serve me, pass through thy sides, and thou shalt fall among their
slain, when I return.
6:7 Now therefore my servants shall bring thee back into the hill
country, and shall set thee in one of the cities of the passages:
6:8 And thou shalt not perish, till thou be destroyed with them.
6:9 And if thou persuade thyself in thy mind that they shall be taken,
let not thy countenance fall: I have spoken it, and none of my words
shall be in vain.
6:10 Then Holofernes commanded his servants, that waited in his tent,
to take Achior, and bring him to Bethulia, and deliver him into the
hands of the children of Israel.
6:11 So his servants took him, and brought him out of the camp into the
plain, and they went from the midst of the plain into the hill country,
and came unto the fountains that were under Bethulia.
6:12 And when the men of the city saw them, they took up their weapons,
and went out of the city to the top of the hill: and every man that
used a sling kept them from coming up by casting of stones against
them.
6:13 Nevertheless having gotten privily under the hill, they bound
Achior, and cast him down, and left him at the foot of the hill, and
returned to their lord.
6:14 But the Israelites descended from their city, and came unto him,
and loosed him, and brought him to Bethulia, and presented him to the
governors of the city:
6:15 Which were in those days Ozias the son of Micha, of the tribe of
Simeon, and Chabris the son of Gothoniel, and Charmis the son of
Melchiel.
6:16 And they called together all the ancients of the city, and all
their youth ran together, and their women, to the assembly, and they
set Achior in the midst of all their people. Then Ozias asked him of
that which was done.
6:17 And he answered and declared unto them the words of the council of
Holofernes, and all the words that he had spoken in the midst of the
princes of Assur, and whatsoever Holofernes had spoken proudly against
the house of Israel.
6:18 Then the people fell down and worshipped God, and cried unto God,
saying,
6:19 O Lord God of heaven, behold their pride, and pity the low estate
of our nation, and look upon the face of those that are sanctified unto
thee this day.
6:20 Then they comforted Achior, and praised him greatly.
6:21 And Ozias took him out of the assembly unto his house, and made a
feast to the elders; and they called on the God of Israel all that
night for help.
7:1 The next day Holofernes commanded all his army, and all his people
which were come to take his part, that they should remove their camp
against Bethulia, to take aforehand the ascents of the hill country,
and to make war against the children of Israel.
7:2 Then their strong men removed their camps in that day, and the army
of the men of war was an hundred and seventy thousand footmen, and
twelve thousand horsemen, beside the baggage, and other men that were
afoot among them, a very great multitude.
7:3 And they camped in the valley near unto Bethulia, by the fountain,
and they spread themselves in breadth over Dothaim even to Belmaim, and
in length from Bethulia unto Cynamon, which is over against Esdraelon.
7:4 Now the children of Israel, when they saw the multitude of them,
were greatly troubled, and said every one to his neighbour, Now will
these men lick up the face of the earth; for neither the high
mountains, nor the valleys, nor the hills, are able to bear their
weight.
7:5 Then every man took up his weapons of war, and when they had
kindled fires upon their towers, they remained and watched all that
night.
7:6 But in the second day Holofernes brought forth all his horsemen in
the sight of the children of Israel which were in Bethulia,
7:7 And viewed the passages up to the city, and came to the fountains
of their waters, and took them, and set garrisons of men of war over
them, and he himself removed toward his people.
7:8 Then came unto him all the chief of the children of Esau, and all
the governors of the people of Moab, and the captains of the sea coast,
and said,
7:9 Let our lord now hear a word, that there be not an overthrow in
thine army.
7:10 For this people of the children of Israel do not trust in their
spears, but in the height of the mountains wherein they dwell, because
it is not easy to come up to the tops of their mountains.
7:11 Now therefore, my lord, fight not against them in battle array,
and there shall not so much as one man of thy people perish.
7:12 Remain in thy camp, and keep all the men of thine army, and let
thy servants get into their hands the fountain of water, which issueth
forth of the foot of the mountain:
7:13 For all the inhabitants of Bethulia have their water thence; so
shall thirst kill them, and they shall give up their city, and we and
our people shall go up to the tops of the mountains that are near, and
will camp upon them, to watch that none go out of the city.
7:14 So they and their wives and their children shall be consumed with
famine, and before the sword come against them, they shall be
overthrown in the streets where they dwell.
7:15 Thus shalt thou render them an evil reward; because they rebelled,
and met not thy person peaceably.
7:16 And these words pleased Holofernes and all his servants, and he
appointed to do as they had spoken.
7:17 So the camp of the children of Ammon departed, and with them five
thousand of the Assyrians, and they pitched in the valley, and took the
waters, and the fountains of the waters of the children of Israel.
7:18 Then the children of Esau went up with the children of Ammon, and
camped in the hill country over against Dothaim: and they sent some of
them toward the south, and toward the east over against Ekrebel, which
is near unto Chusi, that is upon the brook Mochmur; and the rest of the
army of the Assyrians camped in the plain, and covered the face of the
whole land; and their tents and carriages were pitched to a very great
multitude.
7:19 Then the children of Israel cried unto the Lord their God, because
their heart failed, for all their enemies had compassed them round
about, and there was no way to escape out from among them.
7:20 Thus all the company of Assur remained about them, both their
footmen, chariots, and horsemen, four and thirty days, so that all
their vessels of water failed all the inhibitants of Bethulia.
7:21 And the cisterns were emptied, and they had not water to drink
their fill for one day; for they gave them drink by measure.
7:22 Therefore their young children were out of heart, and their women
and young men fainted for thirst, and fell down in the streets of the
city, and by the passages of the gates, and there was no longer any
strength in them.
7:23 Then all the people assembled to Ozias, and to the chief of the
city, both young men, and women, and children, and cried with a loud
voice, and said before all the elders,
7:24 God be judge between us and you: for ye have done us great injury,
in that ye have not required peace of the children of Assur.
7:25 For now we have no helper: but God hath sold us into their hands,
that we should be thrown down before them with thirst and great
destruction.
7:26 Now therefore call them unto you, and deliver the whole city for a
spoil to the people of Holofernes, and to all his army.
7:27 For it is better for us to be made a spoil unto them, than to die
for thirst: for we will be his servants, that our souls may live, and
not see the death of our infants before our eyes, nor our wives nor our
children to die.
7:28 We take to witness against you the heaven and the earth, and our
God and Lord of our fathers, which punisheth us according to our sins
and the sins of our fathers, that he do not according as we have said
this day.
7:29 Then there was great weeping with one consent in the midst of the
assembly; and they cried unto the Lord God with a loud voice.
7:30 Then said Ozias to them, Brethren, be of good courage, let us yet
endure five days, in the which space the Lord our God may turn his
mercy toward us; for he will not forsake us utterly.
7:31 And if these days pass, and there come no help unto us, I will do
according to your word.
7:32 And he dispersed the people, every one to their own charge; and
they went unto the walls and towers of their city, and sent the women
and children into their houses: and they were very low brought in the
city.
8:1 Now at that time Judith heard thereof, which was the daughter of
Merari, the son of Ox, the son of Joseph, the son of Ozel, the son of
Elcia, the son of Ananias, the son of Gedeon, the son of Raphaim, the
son of Acitho, the son of Eliu, the son of Eliab, the son of Nathanael,
the son of Samael, the son of Salasadal, the son of Israel.
8:2 And Manasses was her husband, of her tribe and kindred, who died in
the barley harvest.
8:3 For as he stood overseeing them that bound sheaves in the field,
the heat came upon his head, and he fell on his bed, and died in the
city of Bethulia: and they buried him with his fathers in the field
between Dothaim and Balamo.
8:4 So Judith was a widow in her house three years and four months.
8:5 And she made her a tent upon the top of her house, and put on
sackcloth upon her loins and ware her widow’s apparel.
8:6 And she fasted all the days of her widowhood, save the eves of the
sabbaths, and the sabbaths, and the eves of the new moons, and the new
moons and the feasts and solemn days of the house of Israel.
8:7 She was also of a goodly countenance, and very beautiful to behold:
and her husband Manasses had left her gold, and silver, and menservants
and maidservants, and cattle, and lands; and she remained upon them.
8:8 And there was none that gave her an ill word; for she feared God
greatly.
8:9 Now when she heard the evil words of the people against the
governor, that they fainted for lack of water; for Judith had heard all
the words that Ozias had spoken unto them, and that he had sworn to
deliver the city unto the Assyrians after five days;
8:10 Then she sent her waitingwoman, that had the government of all
things that she had, to call Ozias and Chabris and Charmis, the
ancients of the city.
8:11 And they came unto her, and she said unto them, Hear me now, O ye
governors of the inhabitants of Bethulia: for your words that ye have
spoken before the people this day are not right, touching this oath
which ye made and pronounced between God and you, and have promised to
deliver the city to our enemies, unless within these days the Lord turn
to help you.
8:12 And now who are ye that have tempted God this day, and stand
instead of God among the children of men?
8:13 And now try the Lord Almighty, but ye shall never know any thing.
8:14 For ye cannot find the depth of the heart of man, neither can ye
perceive the things that he thinketh: then how can ye search out God,
that hath made all these things, and know his mind, or comprehend his
purpose? Nay, my brethren, provoke not the Lord our God to anger.
8:15 For if he will not help us within these five days, he hath power
to defend us when he will, even every day, or to destroy us before our
enemies.
8:16 Do not bind the counsels of the Lord our God: for God is not as
man, that he may be threatened; neither is he as the son of man, that
he should be wavering.
8:17 Therefore let us wait for salvation of him, and call upon him to
help us, and he will hear our voice, if it please him.
8:18 For there arose none in our age, neither is there any now in these
days neither tribe, nor family, nor people, nor city among us, which
worship gods made with hands, as hath been aforetime.
8:19 For the which cause our fathers were given to the sword, and for a
spoil, and had a great fall before our enemies.
8:20 But we know none other god, therefore we trust that he will not
dispise us, nor any of our nation.
8:21 For if we be taken so, all Judea shall lie waste, and our
sanctuary shall be spoiled; and he will require the profanation thereof
at our mouth.
8:22 And the slaughter of our brethren, and the captivity of the
country, and the desolation of our inheritance, will he turn upon our
heads among the Gentiles, wheresoever we shall be in bondage; and we
shall be an offence and a reproach to all them that possess us.
8:23 For our servitude shall not be directed to favour: but the Lord
our God shall turn it to dishonour.
8:24 Now therefore, O brethren, let us shew an example to our brethren,
because their hearts depend upon us, and the sanctuary, and the house,
and the altar, rest upon us.
8:25 Moreover let us give thanks to the Lord our God, which trieth us,
even as he did our fathers.
8:26 Remember what things he did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac,
and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, when he kept the
sheep of Laban his mother’s brother.
8:27 For he hath not tried us in the fire, as he did them, for the
examination of their hearts, neither hath he taken vengeance on us: but
the Lord doth scourge them that come near unto him, to admonish them.
8:28 Then said Ozias to her, All that thou hast spoken hast thou spoken
with a good heart, and there is none that may gainsay thy words.
8:29 For this is not the first day wherein thy wisdom is manifested;
but from the beginning of thy days all the people have known thy
understanding, because the disposition of thine heart is good.
8:30 But the people were very thirsty, and compelled us to do unto them
as we have spoken, and to bring an oath upon ourselves, which we will
not break.
8:31 Therefore now pray thou for us, because thou art a godly woman,
and the Lord will send us rain to fill our cisterns, and we shall faint
no more.
8:32 Then said Judith unto them, Hear me, and I will do a thing, which
shall go throughout all generations to the children of our nation.
8:33 Ye shall stand this night in the gate, and I will go forth with my
waitingwoman: and within the days that ye have promised to deliver the
city to our enemies the Lord will visit Israel by mine hand.
8:34 But enquire not ye of mine act: for I will not declare it unto
you, till the things be finished that I do.
8:35 Then said Ozias and the princes unto her, Go in peace, and the
Lord God be before thee, to take vengeance on our enemies.
8:36 So they returned from the tent, and went to their wards.
9:1 Then Judith fell upon her face, and put ashes upon her head, and
uncovered the sackcloth wherewith she was clothed; and about the time
that the incense of that evening was offered in Jerusalem in the house
of the Lord Judith cried with a loud voice, and said,
9:2 O Lord God of my father Simeon, to whom thou gavest a sword to take
vengeance of the strangers, who loosened the girdle of a maid to defile
her, and discovered the thigh to her shame, and polluted her virginity
to her reproach; for thou saidst, It shall not be so; and yet they did
so:
9:3 Wherefore thou gavest their rulers to be slain, so that they dyed
their bed in blood, being deceived, and smotest the servants with their
lords, and the lords upon their thrones;
9:4 And hast given their wives for a prey, and their daughters to be
captives, and all their spoils to be divided among thy dear children;
which were moved with thy zeal, and abhorred the pollution of their
blood, and called upon thee for aid: O God, O my God, hear me also a
widow.
9:5 For thou hast wrought not only those things, but also the things
which fell out before, and which ensued after; thou hast thought upon
the things which are now, and which are to come.
9:6 Yea, what things thou didst determine were ready at hand, and said,
Lo, we are here: for all thy ways are prepared, and thy judgments are
in thy foreknowledge.
9:7 For, behold, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power; they are
exalted with horse and man; they glory in the strength of their
footmen; they trust in shield, and spear, and bow, and sling; and know
not that thou art the Lord that breakest the battles: the Lord is thy
name.
9:8 Throw down their strength in thy power, and bring down their force
in thy wrath: for they have purposed to defile thy sanctuary, and to
pollute the tabernacle where thy glorious name resteth and to cast down
with sword the horn of thy altar.
9:9 Behold their pride, and send thy wrath upon their heads: give into
mine hand, which am a widow, the power that I have conceived.
9:10 Smite by the deceit of my lips the servant with the prince, and
the prince with the servant: break down their stateliness by the hand
of a woman.
9:11 For thy power standeth not in multitude nor thy might in strong
men: for thou art a God of the afflicted, an helper of the oppressed,
an upholder of the weak, a protector of the forlorn, a saviour of them
that are without hope.
9:12 I pray thee, I pray thee, O God of my father, and God of the
inheritance of Israel, Lord of the heavens and earth, Creator of the
waters, king of every creature, hear thou my prayer:
9:13 And make my speech and deceit to be their wound and stripe, who
have purposed cruel things against thy covenant, and thy hallowed
house, and against the top of Sion, and against the house of the
possession of thy children.
9:14 And make every nation and tribe to acknowledge that thou art the
God of all power and might, and that there is none other that
protecteth the people of Israel but thou.
10:1 Now after that she had ceased to cry unto the God of Israel, and
had made an end of all these words.
10:2 She 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,
10:3 And 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.
10:4 And 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.
10:5 Then 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.
10:6 Thus 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.
10:7 And when they saw her, that her countenance was altered, and her
apparel was changed, they wondered at her beauty very greatly, and said
unto her.
10:8 The God, the God of our fathers give thee favour, and accomplish
thine enterprizes to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the
exaltation of Jerusalem. Then they worshipped God.
10:9 And she said unto them, Command the gates of the city to be opened
unto me, that I may go forth to accomplish the things whereof ye have
spoken with me. So they commanded the young men to open unto her, as
she had spoken.
10:10 And 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.
10:11 Thus they went straight forth in the valley: and the first watch
of the Assyrians met her,
10:12 And took her, and asked her, Of what people art thou? and whence
comest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am a woman of the
Hebrews, and am fled from them: for they shall be given you to be
consumed:
10:13 And I am coming before Holofernes the chief captain of your army,
to declare words of truth; and I will shew 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.
10:14 Now when the men heard her words, and beheld her countenance,
they wondered greatly at her beauty, and said unto her,
10:15 Thou hast saved thy life, in that thou hast hasted to come down
to the presence of our lord: now therefore come to his tent, and some
of us shall conduct thee, until they have delivered thee to his hands.
10:16 And when thou standest before him, be not afraid in thine heart,
but shew unto him according to thy word; and he will entreat thee well.
10:17 Then they chose out of them an hundred men to accompany her and
her maid; and they brought her to the tent of Holofernes.
10:18 Then 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.
10:19 And they wondered at her beauty, and admired the children of
Israel because of her, and every one said to his neighbour, 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.
10:20 And they that lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants
and they brought her into the tent.
10:21 Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was
woven with purple, and gold, and emeralds, and precious stones.
10:22 So they shewed him of her; and he came out before his tent with
silver lamps going before him.
10:23 And when Judith was come before him and his servants they all
marvelled at the beauty of her countenance; and she fell down upon her
face, and did reverence unto him: and his servants took her up.
11:1 Then said Holofernes unto her, Woman, be of good comfort, fear not
in thine heart: for I never hurt any that was willing to serve
Nabuchodonosor, the king of all the earth.
11:2 Now therefore, if thy people that dwelleth in the mountains had
not set light by me, I would not have lifted up my spear against them:
but they have done these things to themselves.
11:3 But now tell me wherefore thou art fled from them, and art come
unto us: for thou art come for safeguard; be of good comfort, thou
shalt live this night, and hereafter:
11:4 For none shall hurt thee, but entreat thee well, as they do the
servants of king Nabuchodonosor my lord.
11:5 Then Judith said unto him, Receive the words of thy servant, and
suffer thine handmaid to speak in thy presence, and I will declare no
lie to my lord this night.
11:6 And if thou wilt follow the words of thine handmaid, God will
bring the thing perfectly to pass by thee; and my lord shall not fail
of his purposes.
11:7 As Nabuchodonosor king of all the earth liveth, and as his power
liveth, who hath sent thee for the upholding of every living thing: for
not only men shall serve him by thee, but also the beasts of the field,
and the cattle, and the fowls of the air, shall live by thy power under
Nabuchodonosor and all his house.
11:8 For we have heard of thy wisdom and thy policies, and it is
reported in all the earth, that thou only art excellent in all the
kingdom, and mighty in knowledge, and wonderful in feats of war.
11:9 Now as concerning the matter, which Achior did speak in thy
council, we have heard his words; for the men of Bethulia saved him,
and he declared unto them all that he had spoken unto thee.
11:10 Therefore, O lord and governor, respect not his word; but lay it
up in thine heart, for it is true: for our nation shall not be
punished, neither can sword prevail against them, except they sin
against their God.
11:11 And now, that my lord be not defeated and frustrate of his
purpose, even death is now fallen upon them, and their sin hath
overtaken them, wherewith they will provoke their God to anger
whensoever they shall do that which is not fit to be done:
11:12 For their victuals fail them, and all their water is scant, and
they have determined to lay hands upon their cattle, and purposed to
consume all those things, that God hath forbidden them to eat by his
laws:
11:13 And are resolved to spend the firstfruits of the corn, and the
tenths of wine and oil, which they had sanctified, and reserved for the
priests that serve in Jerusalem before the face of our God; the which
things it is not lawful for any of the people so much as to touch with
their hands.
11:14 For they have sent some to Jerusalem, because they also that
dwell there have done the like, to bring them a licence from the
senate.
11:15 Now when they shall bring them word, they will forthwith do it,
and they shall be given to thee to be destroyed the same day.
11:16 Wherefore I thine handmaid, knowing all this, am fled from their
presence; and God hath sent me to work things with thee, whereat all
the earth shall be astonished, and whosoever shall hear it.
11:17 For thy servant is religious, and serveth the God of heaven day
and night: now therefore, my lord, I will remain with thee, and thy
servant will go out by night into the valley, and I will pray unto God,
and he will tell me when they have committed their sins:
11:18 And I will come and shew it unto thee: then thou shalt go forth
with all thine army, and there shall be none of them that shall resist
thee.
11:19 And I will lead thee through the midst of Judea, until thou come
before Jerusalem; and I will set thy throne in the midst thereof; and
thou shalt drive them as sheep that have no shepherd, and a dog shall
not so much as open his mouth at thee: for these things were told me
according to my foreknowledge, and they were declared unto me, and I am
sent to tell thee.
11:20 Then her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants; and they
marvelled at her wisdom, and said,
11:21 There is not such a woman from one end of the earth to the other,
both for beauty of face, and wisdom of words.
11:22 Likewise Holofernes said unto her. God hath done well to send
thee before the people, that strength might be in our hands and
destruction upon them that lightly regard my lord.
11:23 And now thou art both beautiful in thy countenance, and witty in
thy words: surely if thou do as thou hast spoken thy God shall be my
God, and thou shalt dwell in the house of king Nabuchodonosor, and
shalt be renowned through the whole earth.
12:1 Then he commanded to bring her in where his plate was set; and
bade that they should prepare for her of his own meats, and that she
should drink of his own wine.
12:2 And Judith said, I will not eat thereof, lest there be an offence:
but provision shall be made for me of the things that I have brought.
12:3 Then Holofernes said unto her, If thy provision should fail, how
should we give thee the like? for there be none with us of thy nation.
12:4 Then said Judith unto him As thy soul liveth, my lord, thine
handmaid shall not spend those things that I have, before the Lord work
by mine hand the things that he hath determined.
12:5 Then the servants of Holofernes brought her into the tent, and she
slept till midnight, and she arose when it was toward the morning
watch,
12:6 And sent to Holofernes, saving, Let my lord now command that thine
handmaid may go forth unto prayer.
12:7 Then Holofernes commanded his guard that they should not stay her:
thus she abode in the camp three days, and went out in the night into
the valley of Bethulia, and washed herself in a fountain of water by
the camp.
12:8 And when she came out, she besought the Lord God of Israel to
direct her way to the raising up of the children of her people.
12:9 So she came in clean, and remained in the tent, until she did eat
her meat at evening.
12:10 And in the fourth day Holofernes made a feast to his own servants
only, and called none of the officers to the banquet.
12:11 Then said he to Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that
he had, Go now, and persuade this Hebrew woman which is with thee, that
she come unto us, and eat and drink with us.
12:12 For, lo, it will be a shame for our person, if we shall let such
a woman go, not having had her company; for if we draw her not unto us,
she will laugh us to scorn.
12:13 Then went Bagoas from the presence of Holofernes, and came to
her, and he said, Let not this fair damsel fear to come to my lord, and
to be honoured in his presence, and drink wine, and be merry with us
and be made this day as one of the daughters of the Assyrians, which
serve in the house of Nabuchodonosor.
12:14 Then said Judith unto him, Who am I now, that I should gainsay my
lord? surely whatsoever pleaseth him I will do speedily, and it shall
be my joy unto the day of my death.
12:15 So she arose, and decked herself with her apparel and all her
woman’s attire, and her maid went and laid soft skins on the ground for
her over against Holofernes, which she had received of Bagoas far her
daily use, that she might sit and eat upon them.
12:16 Now when Judith came in and sat down, Holofernes his heart was
ravished with her, and his mind was moved, and he desired greatly her
company; for he waited a time to deceive her, from the day that he had
seen her.
12:17 Then said Holofernes unto her, Drink now, and be merry with us.
12:18 So Judith said, I will drink now, my lord, because my life is
magnified in me this day more than all the days since I was born.
12:19 Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had
prepared.
12:20 And Holofernes took great delight in her, and drank more wine
than he had drunk at any time in one day since he was born.
13:1 Now when the evening was come, his servants made haste to depart,
and Bagoas shut his tent without, and dismissed the waiters from the
presence of his lord; and they went to their beds: for they were all
weary, because the feast had been long.
13:2 And Judith was left along in the tent, and Holofernes lying along
upon his bed: for he was filled with wine.
13:3 Now Judith had commanded her maid to stand without her bedchamber,
and to wait for her coming forth, as she did daily: for she said she
would go forth to her prayers, and she spake to Bagoas according to the
same purpose.
13:4 So all went forth and none was left in the bedchamber, neither
little nor great. Then Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart,
O Lord God of all power, look at this present upon the works of mine
hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem.
13:5 For now is the time to help thine inheritance, and to execute mine
enterprizes to the destruction of the enemies which are risen against
us.
13:6 Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes’
head, and took down his fauchion from thence,
13:7 And approached to his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head,
and said, Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, this day.
13:8 And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took
away his head from him.
13:9 And tumbled his body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy
from the pillars; and anon after she went forth, and gave Holofernes
his head to her maid;
13:10 And she put it in her bag of meat: so they twain went together
according to their custom unto prayer: and when they passed the camp,
they compassed the valley, and went up the mountain of Bethulia, and
came to the gates thereof.
13:11 Then said Judith afar off, to the watchmen at the gate, Open,
open now the gate: God, even our God, is with us, to shew his power yet
in Jerusalem, and his forces against the enemy, as he hath even done
this day.
13:12 Now when the men of her city heard her voice, they made haste to
go down to the gate of their city, and they called the elders of the
city.
13:13 And then they ran all together, both small and great, for it was
strange unto them that she was come: so they opened the gate, and
received them, and made a fire for a light, and stood round about them.
13:14 Then she said to them with a loud voice, Praise, praise God,
praise God, I say, for he hath not taken away his mercy from the house
of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies by mine hands this night.
13:15 So she took the head out of the bag, and shewed it, and said unto
them, behold the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of
Assur, and behold the canopy, wherein he did lie in his drunkenness;
and the Lord hath smitten him by the hand of a woman.
13:16 As the Lord liveth, who hath kept me in my way that I went, my
countenance hath deceived him to his destruction, and yet hath he not
committed sin with me, to defile and shame me.
13:17 Then all the people were wonderfully astonished, and bowed
themselves and worshipped God, and said with one accord, Blessed be
thou, O our God, which hast this day brought to nought the enemies of
thy people.
13:18 Then said Ozias unto her, O daughter, blessed art thou of the
most high God above all the women upon the earth; and blessed be the
Lord God, which hath created the heavens and the earth, which hath
directed thee to the cutting off of the head of the chief of our
enemies.
13:19 For this thy confidence shall not depart from the heart of men,
which remember the power of God for ever.
13:20 And God turn these things to thee for a perpetual praise, to
visit thee in good things because thou hast not spared thy life for the
affliction of our nation, but hast revenged our ruin, walking a
straight way before our God. And all the people said; So be it, so be
it.
14:1 Then said Judith unto them, Hear me now, my brethren, and take
this head, and hang it upon the highest place of your walls.
14:2 And so soon as the morning shall appear, and the sun shall come
forth upon the earth, take ye every one his weapons, and go forth every
valiant man out of the city, and set ye a captain over them, as though
ye would go down into the field toward the watch of the Assyrians; but
go not down.
14:3 Then they shall take their armour, and shall go into their camp,
and raise up the captains of the army of Assur, and shall run to the
tent of Holofernes, but shall not find him: then fear shall fall upon
them, and they shall flee before your face.
14:4 So ye, and all that inhabit the coast of Israel, shall pursue
them, and overthrow them as they go.
14:5 But before ye do these things, call me Achior the Ammonite, that
he may see and know him that despised the house of Israel, and that
sent him to us as it were to his death.
14:6 Then they called Achior out of the house of Ozias; and when he was
come, and saw the head of Holofernes in a man’s hand in the assembly of
the people, he fell down on his face, and his spirit failed.
14:7 But when they had recovered him, he fell at Judith’s feet, and
reverenced her, and said, Blessed art thou in all the tabernacles of
Juda, and in all nations, which hearing thy name shall be astonished.
14:8 Now therefore tell me all the things that thou hast done in these
days. Then Judith declared unto him in the midst of the people all that
she had done, from the day that she went forth until that hour she
spake unto them.
14:9 And when she had left off speaking, the people shouted with a loud
voice, and made a joyful noise in their city.
14:10 And when Achior had seen all that the God of Israel had done, he
believed in God greatly, and circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and
was joined unto the house of Israel unto this day.
14:11 And as soon as the morning arose, they hanged the head of
Holofernes upon the wall, and every man took his weapons, and they went
forth by bands unto the straits of the mountain.
14:12 But when the Assyrians saw them, they sent to their leaders,
which came to their captains and tribunes, and to every one of their
rulers.
14:13 So they came to Holofernes’ tent, and said to him that had the
charge of all his things, Waken now our lord: for the slaves have been
bold to come down against us to battle, that they may be utterly
destroyed.
14:14 Then went in Bagoas, and knocked at the door of the tent; for he
thought that he had slept with Judith.
14:15 But because none answered, he opened it, and went into the
bedchamber, and found him cast upon the floor dead, and his head was
taken from him.
14:16 Therefore he cried with a loud voice, with weeping, and sighing,
and a mighty cry, and rent his garments.
14:17 After he went into the tent where Judith lodged: and when he
found her not, he leaped out to the people, and cried,
14:18 These slaves have dealt treacherously; one woman of the Hebrews
hath brought shame upon the house of king Nabuchodonosor: for, behold,
Holofernes lieth upon the ground without a head.
14:19 When the captains of the Assyrians’ army heard these words, they
rent their coats and their minds were wonderfully troubled, and there
was a cry and a very great noise throughout the camp.
15:1 And when they that were in the tents heard, they were astonished
at the thing that was done.
15:2 And fear and trembling fell upon them, so that there was no man
that durst abide in the sight of his neighbour, but rushing out all
together, they fled into every way of the plain, and of the hill
country.
15:3 They also that had camped in the mountains round about Bethulia
fled away. Then the children of Israel, every one that was a warrior
among them, rushed out upon them.
15:4 Then sent Ozias to Betomasthem, and to Bebai, and Chobai, and Cola
and to all the coasts of Israel, such as should tell the things that
were done, and that all should rush forth upon their enemies to destroy
them.
15:5 Now when the children of Israel heard it, they all fell upon them
with one consent, and slew them unto Chobai: likewise also they that
came from Jerusalem, and from all the hill country, (for men had told
them what things were done in the camp of their enemies) and they that
were in Galaad, and in Galilee, chased them with a great slaughter,
until they were past Damascus and the borders thereof.
15:6 And the residue that dwelt at Bethulia, fell upon the camp of
Assur, and spoiled them, and were greatly enriched.
15:7 And the children of Israel that returned from the slaughter had
that which remained; and the villages and the cities, that were in the
mountains and in the plain, gat many spoils: for the multitude was very
great.
15:8 Then Joacim the high priest, and the ancients of the children of
Israel that dwelt in Jerusalem, came to behold the good things that God
had shewed to Israel, and to see Judith, and to salute her.
15:9 And when they came unto her, they blessed her with one accord, and
said unto her, Thou art the exaltation of Jerusalem, thou art the great
glory of Israel, thou art the great rejoicing of our nation:
15:10 Thou hast done all these things by thine hand: thou hast done
much good to Israel, and God is pleased therewith: blessed be thou of
the Almighty Lord for evermore. And all the people said, So be it.
15:11 And the people spoiled the camp the space of thirty days: and
they gave unto Judith Holofernes his tent, and all his plate, and beds,
and vessels, and all his stuff: and she took it and laid it on her
mule; and made ready her carts, and laid them thereon.
15:12 Then all the women of Israel ran together to see her, and blessed
her, and made a dance among them for her: and she took branches in her
hand, and gave also to the women that were with her.
15:13 And they put a garland of olive upon her and her maid that was
with her, and she went before all the people in the dance, leading all
the women: and all the men of Israel followed in their armour with
garlands, and with songs in their mouths.
16:1 Then Judith began to sing this thanksgiving in all Israel, and all
the people sang after her this song of praise.
16:2 And Judith said, Begin unto my God with timbrels, sing unto my
Lord with cymbals: tune unto him a new psalm: exalt him, and call upon
his name.
16:3 For God breaketh the battles: for among the camps in the midst of
the people he hath delivered me out of the hands of them that
persecuted me.
16:4 Assur came out of the mountains from the north, he came with ten
thousands of his army, the multitude whereof stopped the torrents, and
their horsemen have covered the hills.
16:5 He bragged that he would burn up my borders, and kill my young men
with the sword, and dash the sucking children against the ground, and
make mine infants as a prey, and my virgins as a spoil.
16:6 But the Almighty Lord hath disappointed them by the hand of a
woman.
16:7 For the mighty one did not fall by the young men, neither did the
sons of the Titans smite him, nor high giants set upon him: but Judith
the daughter of Merari weakened him with the beauty of her countenance.
16:8 For she put off the garment of her widowhood for the exaltation of
those that were oppressed in Israel, and anointed her face with
ointment, and bound her hair in a tire, and took a linen garment to
deceive him.
16:9 Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty took his mind prisoner,
and the fauchion passed through his neck.
16:10 The Persians quaked at her boldness, and the Medes were daunted
at her hardiness.
16:11 Then my afflicted shouted for joy, and my weak ones cried aloud;
but they were astonished: these lifted up their voices, but they were
overthrown.
16:12 The sons of the damsels have pierced them through, and wounded
them as fugatives’ children: they perished by the battle of the Lord.
16:13 I will sing unto the Lord a new song: O Lord, thou art great and
glorious, wonderful in strength, and invincible.
16:14 Let all creatures serve thee: for thou spakest, and they were
made, thou didst send forth thy spirit, and it created them, and there
is none that can resist thy voice.
16:15 For the mountains shall be moved from their foundations with the
waters, the rocks shall melt as wax at thy presence: yet thou art
merciful to them that fear thee.
16:16 For all sacrifice is too little for a sweet savour unto thee, and
all the fat is not sufficient for thy burnt offering: but he that
feareth the Lord is great at all times.
16:17 Woe to the nations that rise up against my kindred! the Lord
Almighty will take vengeance of them in the day of judgment, in putting
fire and worms in their flesh; and they shall feel them, and weep for
ever.
16:18 Now as soon as they entered into Jerusalem, they worshipped the
Lord; and as soon as the people were purified, they offered their burnt
offerings, and their free offerings, and their gifts.
16:19 Judith also dedicated all the stuff of Holofernes, which the
people had given her, and gave the canopy, which she had taken out of
his bedchamber, for a gift unto the Lord.
16:20 So the people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the
sanctuary for the space of three months and Judith remained with them.
16:21 After this time every one returned to his own inheritance, and
Judith went to Bethulia, and remained in her own possession, and was in
her time honourable in all the country.
16:22 And many desired her, but none knew her all the days of her life,
after that Manasses her husband was dead, and was gathered to his
people.
16:23 But she increased more and more in honour, and waxed old in her
husband’s house, being an hundred and five years old, and made her maid
free; so she died in Bethulia: and they buried her in the cave of her
husband Manasses.
16:24 And the house of Israel lamented her seven days: and before she
died, she did distribute her goods to all them that were nearest of
kindred to Manasses her husband, and to them that were the nearest of
her kindred.
16:25 And there was none that made the children of Israel any more
afraid in the days of Judith, nor a long time after her death.
The Greek Additions to Esther
[The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther]
10:4 Then Mardocheus said, God hath done these things.
10:5 For I remember a dream which I saw concerning these matters, and
nothing thereof hath failed.
10:6 A little fountain became a river, and there was light, and the
sun, and much water: this river is Esther, whom the king married, and
made queen:
10:7 And the two dragons are I and Aman.
10:8 And the nations were those that were assembled to destroy the name
of the Jews:
10:9 And my nation is this Israel, which cried to God, and were saved:
for the Lord hath saved his people, and the Lord hath delivered us from
all those evils, and God hath wrought signs and great wonders, which
have not been done among the Gentiles.
10:10 Therefore hath he made two lots, one for the people of God, and
another for all the Gentiles.
10:11 And these two lots came at the hour, and time, and day of
judgment, before God among all nations.
10:12 So God remembered his people, and justified his inheritance.
10:13 Therefore those days shall be unto them in the month Adar, the
fourteenth and fifteenth day of the same month, with an assembly, and
joy, and with gladness before God, according to the generations for
ever among his people.
11:1 In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemeus and Cleopatra,
Dositheus, who said he was a priest and Levite, and Ptolemeus his son,
brought this epistle of Phurim, which they said was the same, and that
Lysimachus the son of Ptolemeus, that was in Jerusalem, had interpreted
it.
11:2 In the second year of the reign of Artexerxes the great, in the
first day of the month Nisan, Mardocheus the son of Jairus, the son of
Semei, the son of Cisai, of the tribe of Benjamin, had a dream;
11:3 Who was a Jew, and dwelt in the city of Susa, a great man, being a
servitor in the king’s court.
11:4 He was also one of the captives, which Nabuchodonosor the king of
Babylon carried from Jerusalem with Jechonias king of Judea; and this
was his dream:
11:5 Behold a noise of a tumult, with thunder, and earthquakes, and
uproar in the land:
11:6 And, behold, two great dragons came forth ready to fight, and
their cry was great.
11:7 And at their cry all nations were prepared to battle, that they
might fight against the righteous people.
11:8 And lo a day of darkness and obscurity, tribulation and anguish,
affliction and great uproar, upon earth.
11:9 And the whole righteous nation was troubled, fearing their own
evils, and were ready to perish.
11:10 Then they cried unto God, and upon their cry, as it were from a
little fountain, was made a great flood, even much water.
11:11 The light and the sun rose up, and the lowly were exalted, and
devoured the glorious.
11:12 Now when Mardocheus, who had seen this dream, and what God had
determined to do, was awake, he bare this dream in mind, and until
night by all means was desirous to know it.
12:1 And Mardocheus took his rest in the court with Gabatha and Tharra,
the two eunuchs of the king, and keepers of the palace.
12:2 And he heard their devices, and searched out their purposes, and
learned that they were about to lay hands upon Artexerxes the king; and
so he certified the king of them.
12:3 Then the king examined the two eunuchs, and after that they had
confessed it, they were strangled.
12:4 And the king made a record of these things, and Mardocheus also
wrote thereof.
12:5 So the king commanded Mardocheus to serve in the court, and for
this he rewarded him.
12:6 Howbeit Aman the son of Amadathus the Agagite, who was in great
honour with the king, sought to molest Mardocheus and his people
because of the two eunuchs of the king.
13:1 The copy of the letters was this: The great king Artexerxes
writeth these things to the princes and governors that are under him
from India unto Ethiopia in an hundred and seven and twenty provinces.
13:2 After that I became lord over many nations and had dominion over
the whole world, not lifted up with presumption of my authority, but
carrying myself always with equity and mildness, I purposed to settle
my subjects continually in a quiet life, and making my kingdom
peaceable, and open for passage to the utmost coasts, to renew peace,
which is desired of all men.
13:3 Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to pass,
Aman, that excelled in wisdom among us, and was approved for his
constant good will and steadfast fidelity, and had the honour of the
second place in the kingdom,
13:4 Declared unto us, that in all nations throughout the world there
was scattered a certain malicious people, that had laws contrary to all
nations, and continually despised the commandments of kings, so as the
uniting of our kingdoms, honourably intended by us cannot go forward.
13:5 Seeing then we understand that this people alone is continually in
opposition unto all men, differing in the strange manner of their laws,
and evil affected to our state, working all the mischief they can that
our kingdom may not be firmly established:
13:6 Therefore have we commanded, that all they that are signified in
writing unto you by Aman, who is ordained over the affairs, and is next
unto us, shall all, with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed
by the sword of their enemies, without all mercy and pity, the
fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
13:7 That they, who of old and now also are malicious, may in one day
with violence go into the grave, and so ever hereafter cause our
affairs to be well settled, and without trouble.
13:8 Then Mardocheus thought upon all the works of the Lord, and made
his prayer unto him,
13:9 Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty: for the whole world is in
thy power, and if thou hast appointed to save Israel, there is no man
that can gainsay thee:
13:10 For thou hast made heaven and earth, and all the wondrous things
under the heaven.
13:11 Thou art Lord of all things, and there is no man that can resist
thee, which art the Lord.
13:12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was
neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did
not bow down to proud Aman.
13:13 For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of
Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.
13:14 But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above
the glory of God: neither will I worship any but thee, O God, neither
will I do it in pride.
13:15 And now, O Lord God and King, spare thy people: for their eyes
are upon us to bring us to nought; yea, they desire to destroy the
inheritance, that hath been thine from the beginning.
13:16 Despise not the portion, which thou hast delivered out of Egypt
for thine own self.
13:17 Hear my prayer, and be merciful unto thine inheritance: turn our
sorrow into joy, that we may live, O Lord, and praise thy name: and
destroy not the mouths of them that praise thee, O Lord.
13:18 All Israel in like manner cried most earnestly unto the Lord,
because their death was before their eyes.
14:1 Queen Esther also, being in fear of death, resorted unto the Lord:
14:2 And laid away her glorious apparel, and put on the garments of
anguish and mourning: and instead of precious ointments, she covered
her head with ashes and dung, and she humbled her body greatly, and all
the places of her joy she filled with her torn hair.
14:3 And she prayed unto the Lord God of Israel, saying, O my Lord,
thou only art our King: help me, desolate woman, which have no helper
but thee:
14:4 For my danger is in mine hand.
14:5 From my youth up I have heard in the tribe of my family that thou,
O Lord, tookest Israel from among all people, and our fathers from all
their predecessors, for a perpetual inheritance, and thou hast
performed whatsoever thou didst promise them.
14:6 And now we have sinned before thee: therefore hast thou given us
into the hands of our enemies,
14:7 Because we worshipped their gods: O Lord, thou art righteous.
14:8 Nevertheless it satisfieth them not, that we are in bitter
captivity: but they have stricken hands with their idols,
14:9 That they will abolish the thing that thou with thy mouth hast
ordained, and destroy thine inheritance, and stop the mouth of them
that praise thee, and quench the glory of thy house, and of thine
altar,
14:10 And open the mouths of the heathen to set forth the praises of
the idols, and to magnify a fleshly king for ever.
14:11 O Lord, give not thy sceptre unto them that be nothing, and let
them not laugh at our fall; but turn their device upon themselves, and
make him an example, that hath begun this against us.
14:12 Remember, O Lord, make thyself known in time of our affliction,
and give me boldness, O King of the nations, and Lord of all power.
14:13 Give me eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion: turn his
heart to hate him that fighteth against us, that there may be an end of
him, and of all that are likeminded to him:
14:14 But deliver us with thine hand, and help me that am desolate, and
which have no other help but thee.
14:15 Thou knowest all things, O Lord; thou knowest that I hate the
glory of the unrighteous, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and
of all the heathen.
14:16 Thou knowest my necessity: for I abhor the sign of my high
estate, which is upon mine head in the days wherein I shew myself, and
that I abhor it as a menstruous rag, and that I wear it not when I am
private by myself.
14:17 And that thine handmaid hath not eaten at Aman’s table, and that
I have not greatly esteemed the king’s feast, nor drunk the wine of the
drink offerings.
14:18 Neither had thine handmaid any joy since the day that I was
brought hither to this present, but in thee, O Lord God of Abraham.
14:19 O thou mighty God above all, hear the voice of the forlorn and
deliver us out of the hands of the mischievous, and deliver me out of
my fear.
15:1 And upon the third day, when she had ended her prayers, she laid
away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel.
15:2 And being gloriously adorned, after she had called upon God, who
is the beholder and saviour of all things, she took two maids with her:
15:3 And upon the one she leaned, as carrying herself daintily;
15:4 And the other followed, bearing up her train.
15:5 And she was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her
countenance was cheerful and very amiable: but her heart was in anguish
for fear.
15:6 Then having passed through all the doors, she stood before the
king, who sat upon his royal throne, and was clothed with all his robes
of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious stones; and he was
very dreadful.
15:7 Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked
very fiercely upon her: and the queen fell down, and was pale, and
fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before
her.
15:8 Then God changed the spirit of the king into mildness, who in a
fear leaped from his throne, and took her in his arms, till she came to
herself again, and comforted her with loving words and said unto her,
15:9 Esther, what is the matter? I am thy brother, be of good cheer:
15:10 Thou shalt not die, though our commandment be general: come near.
15:11 And so be held up his golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck,
15:12 And embraced her, and said, Speak unto me.
15:13 Then said she unto him, I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God,
and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.
15:14 For wonderful art thou, lord, and thy countenance is full of
grace.
15:15 And as she was speaking, she fell down for faintness.
15:16 Then the king was troubled, and all his servants comforted her.
16:1 The great king Artexerxes unto the princes and governors of an
hundred and seven and twenty provinces from India unto Ethiopia, and
unto all our faithful subjects, greeting.
16:2 Many, the more often they are honoured with the great bounty of
their gracious princes, the more proud they are waxen,
16:3 And endeavour to hurt not our subjects only, but not being able to
bear abundance, do take in hand to practise also against those that do
them good:
16:4 And take not only thankfulness away from among men, but also
lifted up with the glorious words of lewd persons, that were never
good, they think to escape the justice of God, that seeth all things
and hateth evil.
16:5 Oftentimes also fair speech of those, that are put in trust to
manage their friends’ affairs, hath caused many that are in authority
to be partakers of innocent blood, and hath enwrapped them in
remediless calamities:
16:6 Beguiling with the falsehood and deceit of their lewd disposition
the innocency and goodness of princes.
16:7 Now ye may see this, as we have declared, not so much by ancient
histories, as ye may, if ye search what hath been wickedly done of late
through the pestilent behaviour of them that are unworthily placed in
authority.
16:8 And we must take care for the time to come, that our kingdom may
be quiet and peaceable for all men,
16:9 Both by changing our purposes, and always judging things that are
evident with more equal proceeding.
16:10 For Aman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadatha, being indeed a
stranger from the Persian blood, and far distant from our goodness, and
as a stranger received of us,
16:11 Had so far forth obtained the favour that we shew toward every
nation, as that he was called our father, and was continually honoured
of all the next person unto the king.
16:12 But he, not bearing his great dignity, went about to deprive us
of our kingdom and life:
16:13 Having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the
destruction, as well of Mardocheus, who saved our life, and continually
procured our good, as also of blameless Esther, partaker of our
kingdom, with their whole nation.
16:14 For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of friends to
have translated the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.
16:15 But we find that the Jews, whom this wicked wretch hath delivered
to utter destruction, are no evildoers, but live by most just laws:
16:16 And that they be children of the most high and most mighty,
living God, who hath ordered the kingdom both unto us and to our
progenitors in the most excellent manner.
16:17 Wherefore ye shall do well not to put in execution the letters
sent unto you by Aman the son of Amadatha.
16:18 For he that was the worker of these things, is hanged at the
gates of Susa with all his family: God, who ruleth all things, speedily
rendering vengeance to him according to his deserts.
16:19 Therefore ye shall publish the copy of this letter in all places,
that the Jews may freely live after their own laws.
16:20 And ye shall aid them, that even the same day, being the
thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, they may be avenged on them,
who in the time of their affliction shall set upon them.
16:21 For Almighty God hath turned to joy unto them the day, wherein
the chosen people should have perished.
16:22 Ye shall therefore among your solemn feasts keep it an high day
with all feasting:
16:23 That both now and hereafter there may be safety to us and the
well affected Persians; but to those which do conspire against us a
memorial of destruction.
16:24 Therefore every city and country whatsoever, which shall not do
according to these things, shall be destroyed without mercy with fire
and sword, and shall be made not only unpassable for men, but also most
hateful to wild beasts and fowls for ever.
The Book of Wisdom
[The Wisdom of Solomon]
1:1 Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the
Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him.
1:2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth
himself unto such as do not distrust him.
1:3 For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is
tried, reproveth the unwise.
1:4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the
body that is subject unto sin.
1:5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from
thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when
unrighteousness cometh in.
1:6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of
his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his
heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
1:7 For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which
containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.
1:8 Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid:
neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him.
1:9 For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and
the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation
of his wicked deeds.
1:10 For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of
murmurings is not hid.
1:11 Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain
your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall
go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul.
1:12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon
yourselves destruction with the works of your hands.
1:13 For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the
destruction of the living.
1:14 For he created all things, that they might have their being: and
the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of
destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth: