Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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:
Jdt 11:4 For none shall hurt thee, but entreat thee well, as they do the
servants of king Nabuchodonosor my lord.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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:
Jdt 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:
Jdt 11:13 And are resolved to spend the firstfruits of the 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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:
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 11:20 Then her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants; and they
marvelled at her wisdom, and said,
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.
Jdt 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.