Jdt 10

1 Now after that she had ceased to cry to the God of Israel, and bad made an end of all thesewords. 2 She rose where she had fallen down, and called her maid, and went down into the housein the which she abode in the sabbath days, and in her feast days, 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 thehair of her head, and put on a tire upon it, and put on her garments of gladness, wherewith she was cladduring the life of Manasses her husband. 4 And she took sandals upon her feet, and put about her her bracelets, and her chains, andher rings, and her earrings, and all her ornaments, and decked herself bravely, to allure the eyes ofall men that should see her. 5 Then she gave her maid a bottle of wine, and a cruse of oil, and filled a bag with parchedcorn, and lumps of figs, and with fine bread; so she folded all these things together, and laid them uponher. 6 Thus they went forth to the gate of the city of Bethulia, and found standing there Oziasand the ancients of the city, Chabris and Charmis. 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 to her. 8 The God, the God of our fathers give you favor, and accomplish your enterprizes to theglory of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem. Then they worshipped God. 9 And she said to them, Command the gates of the city to be opened to me, that I may goforth to accomplish the things whereof you⌃ have spoken with me. So they commanded the young men to opento her, as she had spoken. 10 And when they had done so, Judith went out, she, and her maid with her; and the men ofthe city looked after her, until she was gone down the mountain, and till she had passed the valley, andcould see her no more. 11 Thus they went straight forth in the valley: and the first watch of the Assyrians mether, 12 And took her, and asked her, Of what people are you? and whence come you? and whithergo you? And she said, I am a woman of the Hebrews, and am fled from them: for they shall be given youto be consumed: 13 And I am coming before Holofernes the chief captain of your army, to declare words oftruth; and I will show him a way, whereby he shall go, and win all the hill country, without losing thebody or life of any one of his men. 14 Now when the men heard her words, and [*]saw her countenance, they wondered greatly ather beauty, and said to her, 15 You have saved your life, in that you have hasted to come down to the presence of ourlord: now therefore come to his tent, and some of us shall conduct you, until they have delivered youto his hands. 16 And when you stand before him, be not afraid in your heart, but show to him accordingto your word; and he will entreat you well. 17 Then they chose out of them an hundred men to accompany her and her maid; and they broughther to the tent of Holofernes. 18 Then was there a concourse throughout all the camp: for her coming was noised among thetents, and they came about her, as she stood without the tent of Holofernes, till they told him of her. 19 And they wondered at her beauty, and admired the children of Israel because of her, andevery one said to his neighbor, Who would despise this people, that have among them such women? surelyit is not good that one man of them be left who being let go might deceive the whole earth. 20 And they that lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants and they brought herinto the tent. 21 Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was woven with purple, and gold,and emeralds, and precious stones. 22 So they showed him of her; and he came out before his tent with silver lamps going beforehim. 23 And when Judith was come before him and his servants they all marveled at the beautyof her countenance; and she fell down upon her face, and did reverence to him: and his servants took herup.