Judith

And it came to pass, that when she had ceased to cry to the Lord, she rose from the place wherein she lay prostrate before the Lord.

And she called her maid, and going down into her house she took off her haircloth, and put away the garments of her widowhood,

And she washed her body, and anointed herself with the best ointment, and plaited the hair of her head, and put a bonnet upon her head, and clothed herself with the garments of her gladness, and put sandals on her feet, and took her bracelets, and lilies, and earlets, and rings, and adorned herself with all her ornaments.

And the Lord also gave her more beauty: because all this dressing up did not proceed from sensuality, but from virtue: and therefore the Lord increased this her beauty, so that she appeared to all men's eyes incomparably lovely.

And she gave to her maid a bottle of wine, and a vessel of oil, and parched corn, and dried figs, and bread and cheese, and went out.

And when they came to the gate of the city, they found Ozias, and the ancients of the city waiting.

And when they saw her they were astonished, and admired her beauty exceedingly.

But they asked her no question, only they let her pass, saying: The God of our fathers give thee grace, and may he strengthen all the counsel of thy heart with his power, that Jerusalem may glory in thee, and thy name may be in the number of the holy and just.

And they that were there said, all with one voice: So be it, so be it.

But Judith praying to the Lord, passed through the gates, she and her maid.

And it came to pass, when she went down the hill, about break of day, the watchmen of the Assyrians came to her, and stopped her, saying: Whence comest thou? or whither goest thou?

And she answered: I am a daughter of the Hebrews, and I am fled from them, because I knew they will be made a prey to you, because they despised you, and would not of their own accord yield themselves, that they might find mercy in your sight.

For this reason I thought with myself, saying: I will go to the presence of the prince Holofernes, that I may tell him their secrets, and shew him by what way he may take them, without the loss of one man of his army.

And when the men had heard her words, they beheld her face, and their eyes were amazed, for they wondered exceedingly at her beauty.

And they said to her: Thou hast saved thy life, because thou hast found such a resolution to come down to our lord.

And when thou shalt stand before him, fear not in thy heart, but shew him what thou hast said, and he will treat thee well.

And they chose out of them a hundred men to accompany her and her maid, and they brought her to the tent of Holofernes.

And there was a great running about to every corner of the camp: for her coming was noised among the tents, and they came and stood round about her, as she was without the tent of Holofernes, waiting till they told him of her.

And they wondered at her beauty, and wondered at the children of Israel because of her, and every one said to his neighbour: Who shall despise this people, that have such women among them? Surely it is not good that one man of them be left, who being let go might be able to deceive the whole earth.

Then they that lay near Holofernes, went out, and all his servants, and they brought her into the tent.

And Holofernes was reposing on his bed under a canopy, which was woven of purple and gold, and emeralds and precious stones.

And when they told him of her, he came out before his tent, and silver lamps went before him.

And when Judith was come before him, and his servants, they all wondered at the beauty of her countenance.

And she fell down upon her face, and worshipped him, and his servants lifted her up.