Jdt 10:1 Now after that she had ceased to cry
unto the God of Israel, and bad made an end of all these words.
Jdt 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,
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 10:8 The God, the God of our fathers give thee favour, and accomplish
thine enterprises to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the
exaltation of Jerusalem. Then they worshipped God.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 10:11 Thus they went straight forth in the valley: and the first watch
of the Assyrians met her,
Jdt 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:
Jdt 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.
Jdt 10:14 Now when the men heard her words, and beheld her countenance, they
wondered greatly at her beauty, and said unto her,
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 10:20 And they that lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants
and they brought her into the tent.
Jdt 10:21 Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was woven
with purple, and gold, and emeralds, and precious stones.
Jdt 10:22 So they shewed him of her; and he came out before his tent with
silver lamps going before him.
Jdt 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.