Judith

Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him.

Dread and horror seized upon their minds, lest he should do the same to Jerusalem and to the temple of the Lord, that he had done to other cities and their temples.

And they sent into all Samaria round about, as far as Jericho, and seized upon all the tops of the mountains:

And they compassed their towns with walls, and gathered together corn for provision for war.

And the high priest Joacim wrote to all that dwelt against Esdraelon, which is over against the great plain near Dothain, and to all by whom there might be a passage of way, that they should seize upon the ascents of the mountains, by which there might be any way to Jerusalem, and should keep guard where the way was narrow between the mountains.

And the children of Israel did as the priest of the Lord Joacim had commanded them.

And all the people cried to the Lord with great earnestness, and they humbled their souls in fastings, and prayers, both they and their wives.

And the priests put on haircloths, and caused the little children to lie prostrate before the temple of the Lord, and they covered the altar of the Lord with haircloth.

And they cried to the Lord the God of Israel with one accord, that their children might not be made a prey, and their wives for a spoil, and their cities destroyed, and their holy things profaned, and that they might not be a reproach to the Gentiles.

Then Joacim the high priest, and all the priests of the Lord, stood before the Lord, and they that ministered to the Lord, having their loins girt with haircloth, and offered the continual burnt offering, and the vows, and the voluntary gifts of the people.

And they put ashes upon their mitres, and cried to the Lord with all their strength, that he would look upon all the house of Israel graciously.