Judith

1At that time Judith heard about this. She was the daughter of Merari. Merari was the son of Ox. Ox was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Ozel. Ozel was the son of Elcia. Elcia was the son of Ananias. Ananias was the son of Gedeon. Gedeon was the son of Raphaim. Raphaim was the son of Acitho. Acitho was the son of Eliu. Eliu was the son of Eliab. Eliab was the son of Nathanael. Nathanael was the son of Samael. Samael was the son of Salasadal. Salasadal was the son of Israel.

Now at that time Judith heard thereof, which was the daughter of Merari, the son of Ox, the son of Joseph, the son of Ozel, the son of Elcia, the son of Ananias, the son of Gedeon, the son of Raphaim, the son of Acitho, the son of Eliu, the son of Eliab, the son of Nathanael, the son of Samael, the son of Salasadal, the son of Israel.

NoteThis long list gives Judith's family, father after father. Israel at the end is Jacob, the father of the whole nation. Lists like this showed that a person belonged to God's people.

2Her husband was Manasses. He came from her own tribe and family. He died at the time of the barley harvest.

And Manasses was her husband, of her tribe and kindred, who died in the barley harvest.

NoteA tribe was one big family group. Israel had twelve of them. Barley is a grain, like wheat. It was cut down in the spring, when the days were getting hot.

3He was standing over the men who tied up bundles of grain in the field. The heat came down on his head. He fell on his bed and died in the city of Bethulia. They buried him with his fathers in the field between Dothaim and Balamo.

For as he stood overseeing them that bound sheaves in the field, the heat came upon his head, and he fell on his bed, and died in the city of Bethulia: and they buried him with his fathers in the field between Dothaim and Balamo.

NoteThe cut grain was tied into bundles called sheaves. Manasses was watching the workers out in the hot sun. Too much hot sun can make a person very sick. Families were buried together in one place, so "his fathers" means his own family who had died before him.

4So Judith lived in her house as a widow for three years and four months.

So Judith was a widow in her house three years and four months.

NoteA widow is a woman whose husband has died.

5She made herself a tent on the roof of her house. She put sackcloth around her waist. She wore the clothes of a widow.

And she made her a tent upon the top of her house, and put on sackcloth upon her loins and ware her widow’s apparel.

NoteRoofs there were flat, like an outdoor floor. People sat and slept up there in the warm months. Sackcloth was rough, scratchy cloth, like a sack. People wore it to show they were sad. A widow also wore plain, dark clothes so everyone knew.

6She went without food all the days she was a widow. But she ate on the days before the Sabbaths and on the Sabbaths. She ate on the days before the new moons and on the new moons. She also ate on the feasts and glad days of the house of Israel.

And she fasted all the days of her widowhood, save the eves of the sabbaths, and the sabbaths, and the eves of the new moons, and the new moons and the feasts and solemn days of the house of Israel.

NoteGoing without food on purpose is called fasting. People did it while they prayed. The Sabbath was the weekly rest day for God's people. The new moon was the thin new moon that started each month. Those were glad days, so she ate.

7She had a lovely face and was very beautiful to look at. Her husband Manasses had left her gold and silver. He left her servants, both men and women, and cattle, and land. She stayed there on that land.

She was also of a goodly countenance, and very beautiful to behold: and her husband Manasses had left her gold, and silver, and menservants and maidservants, and cattle, and lands; and she remained upon them.

8No one ever said a bad word about her. She feared God very much.

And there was none that gave her an ill word; as she feared God greatly.

Note"She feared God" does not mean she was scared of him. It means she took him seriously and did what he said.

9Judith heard the angry words the people were saying against the governor. They were growing weak because they had no water. She heard everything Ozias had said to them. He had sworn to hand the city over to the Assyrians after five days.

Now when she heard the evil words of the people against the governor, that they fainted for lack of water; for Judith had heard all the words that Ozias had spoken unto them, and that he had sworn to deliver the city unto the Assyrians after five days;

NoteA governor was the man in charge of the city. The Assyrians were a strong army from far away. Their soldiers had cut off the city's water. To swear means to make a very serious promise.

10So she sent her servant woman, who took care of everything Judith owned. She sent her to call Ozias, Chabris, and Charmis, the elders of the city.

Then she sent her waitingwoman, that had the government of all things that she had, to call Ozias and Chabris and Charmis, the ancients of the city.

NoteElders were the older men who made decisions for the city.

11They came to her, and she said to them, "Listen to me, you rulers of the people of Bethulia. What you said to the people today is not right. You made this oath between God and yourselves. You promised to hand the city to our enemies, unless the Lord turns to help you within these days.

And they came unto her, and she said unto them, Hear me now, O ye governors of the inhabitants of Bethulia: for your words that ye have spoken before the people this day are not right, touching this oath which ye made and pronounced between God and you, and have promised to deliver the city to our enemies, unless within these days the Lord turn to help you.

NoteAn oath is a promise with God's name inside it. People believed an oath could never be taken back.

12Now who are you, that you have tested God today? You are standing in God's place among people.

And now who are ye that have tempted God this day, and stand instead of God among the children of men?

NoteThey had given God five days to help. Judith says that is like deciding things in God's place.

13Go ahead, test the Lord Almighty. You will never know anything that way.

And now try the Lord Almighty, but ye shall never know any thing.

14You cannot find the bottom of a person's heart. You cannot see what someone is thinking. Then how can you search out God, who made all these things? How can you know his mind or understand his plan? No, my brothers, do not make the Lord our God angry.

For ye cannot find the depth of the heart of man, neither can ye perceive the things that he thinketh: then how can ye search out God, that hath made all these things, and know his mind, or comprehend his purpose? Nay, my brethren, provoke not the Lord our God to anger.

15For if he does not help us within these five days, he still has power. He can defend us whenever he wants, any day at all. He can also destroy us in front of our enemies.

For if he will not help us within these five days, he hath power to defend us when he will, even every day, or to destroy us before our enemies.

16Do not tie down what the Lord our God decides. God is not like a man, who can be threatened. He is not like a human being, who can be won over by begging.

Do not bind the counsels of the Lord our God: for God is not as man, that he may be threatened; neither is he as the son of man, that he should be wavering.

17So let us wait for him to save us. Let us call to him for help. He will hear our voice, if it pleases him.

Therefore let us wait for salvation of him, and call upon him to help us, and he will hear our voice, if it please him.

18No one in our time has turned to gods made by human hands. No tribe, no family, no people, and no city among us does that now. It was done long ago, but not today.

For there arose none in our age, neither is there any now in these days neither tribe, nor family, nor people, nor city among us, which worship gods made with hands, as hath been aforetime.

Note"Gods made by human hands" means statues that people bowed to. Another word for them is idols.

19Because of that, our fathers were handed over to the sword. Their things were carried off, and they fell hard before their enemies.

For the which cause our fathers were given to the sword, and for a spoil, and had a great fall before our enemies.

Note"Given to the sword" is an old way of saying killed in war. "Our fathers" means the people who lived long before them.

20But we know no other god but him. So we trust that he will not turn away from us or from anyone of our nation.

But we know none other god, therefore we trust that he will not despise us, nor any of our nation.

21For if we are taken, all Judea will be left empty. Our holy place will be robbed. He will ask our blood for the harm done to it.

For if we be taken so, all Judea shall lie waste, and our sanctuary shall be spoiled; and he will require the profanation thereof at our mouth.

NoteJudea was the land where God's people lived. The holy place is the temple in Jerusalem, God's house. "He will ask our blood" means he will hold us to blame.

22Our brothers will be killed. Our land will be taken away. What belongs to us will be left empty. He will bring all of that down on our heads. It will follow us among the nations, wherever we are held as slaves. We will be a shame and an insult to those who own us.

And the slaughter of our brethren, and the captivity of the country, and the desolation of our inheritance, will he turn upon our heads among the Gentiles, wheresoever we shall be in bondage; and we shall be an offence and a reproach to all them that possess us.

Note"The nations" means all the other peoples around them. Armies often carried people away to work as slaves in another land.

23Our life as slaves will not be turned into kindness for us. The Lord our God will turn it into shame.

For our servitude shall not be directed to favour: but the Lord our God shall turn it to dishonour.

24So now, brothers, let us set an example for our brothers. Their hearts lean on us. The holy place, the house, and the altar rest on us.

Now therefore, O brethren, let us shew an example to our brethren, because their hearts depend upon us, and the sanctuary, and the house, and the altar, rest upon us.

NoteAn altar is a special stone table. Gifts to God were burned on it. "The house" means the temple in Jerusalem.

25And let us give thanks to the Lord our God. He is testing us, just as he tested our fathers.

Moreover let us give thanks to the Lord our God, which trieth us, even as he did our fathers.

26Remember the things he did to Abraham. Remember how he tested Isaac. Remember what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria. He was keeping the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother.

Remember what things he did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, when he kept the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother.

NoteAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived long, long before Judith. They were the first fathers of Israel. Jacob went far away to his uncle Laban and worked for him, taking care of his sheep.

27He has not tested us in the fire, as he did them, to search out their hearts. He has not paid us back for wrong. But the Lord punishes those who come near him, to warn them."

For he hath not tried us in the fire, as he did them, for the examination of their hearts, neither hath he taken vengeance on us: but the Lord doth scourge them that come near unto him, to admonish them.

Note"Tested in the fire" is a picture from gold. Gold is heated to see if it is really gold.

28Then Ozias said to her, "Everything you have said, you said with a good heart. No one can speak against your words.

Then said Ozias to her, All that thou hast spoken hast thou spoken with a good heart, and there is none that may gainsay thy words.

29This is not the first day your wisdom has shown. Ever since your early days, all the people have known you understand things. They know your heart is good.

For this is not the first day wherein thy wisdom is manifested; but from the beginning of thy days all the people have known thy understanding, because the disposition of thine heart is good.

30But the people were terribly thirsty. They forced us to do what we told them we would do. They made us swear an oath, and we will not break it.

But the people were very thirsty, and compelled us to do unto them as we have spoken, and to bring an oath upon ourselves, which we will not break.

31So please pray for us, because you are a woman who honors God. Then the Lord will send rain to fill our water tanks. We will grow weak no more."

Therefore now pray thou for us, because thou art a godly woman, and the Lord will send us rain to fill our cisterns, and we shall faint no more.

NoteTheir water tanks were big holes cut down into rock. Rain filled them up. With no rain and no spring, the city would run dry.

32Then Judith said to them, "Listen to me. I will do something that will be told to all future ages, among the children of our people.

Then said Judith unto them, Hear me, and I will do a thing, which shall go throughout all generations to the children of our nation.

33Tonight you are to stand at the gate. I will go out with my servant woman. Before the days end when you promised to hand the city to our enemies, the Lord will rescue Israel by my hand.

Ye shall stand this night in the gate, and I will go forth with my waitingwoman: and within the days that ye have promised to deliver the city to our enemies the Lord will visit Israel by mine hand.

NoteThe gate was the only way in through the city wall. "By my hand" means God will use her to do it.

34But do not ask me about what I will do. I will not tell you until the things I do are finished."

But enquire not ye of mine act: for I will not declare it unto you, till the things be finished that I do.

35Then Ozias and the leaders said to her, "Go in peace. May the Lord God go ahead of you, to pay back our enemies."

Then said Ozias and the princes unto her, Go in peace, and the Lord God be before thee, to take vengeance on our enemies.

Note"Go in peace" was a normal way to say goodbye.

36So they left the tent and went back to their posts.

So they returned from the tent, and went to their wards.

NoteThe King James says they went to their "wards." Those were the spots on the wall where guards stood watch.

1Judith lay down with her face to the ground. She put ashes on her head. She uncovered the rough sackcloth she was wearing. In Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, the evening incense was being burned. At that time Judith called out in a loud voice and said:

Judith fell upon her face, and put ashes upon her head, and uncovered the sackcloth wherewith she was clothed; and about the time that the incense of that evening was offered in Jerusalem in the house of the Lord Judith cried with a loud voice, and said,

NoteSackcloth was rough, scratchy cloth made from goat hair. People wore it when they were very sad or praying hard. Ashes on the head showed sadness too. Incense is sweet-smelling smoke, burned as a gift to God. It was burned every evening in the temple in Jerusalem, God's special house.

2"O Lord God of my father Simeon, you gave him a sword. With it he took revenge on the strangers. Those men loosened a young girl's belt to shame her body. They uncovered her thigh, and she was shamed. They spoiled her virginity, and people shamed her for it. You had said, 'It shall not be so.' Yet they did it.

O Lord God of my father Simeon, to whom thou gavest a sword to take vengeance of the strangers, who loosened the girdle of a maid to defile her, and discovered the thigh to her shame, and polluted her virginity to her reproach; for thou saidst, It shall not be so; and yet they did so:

NoteSimeon was one of Jacob's twelve sons, a very long time before this. Judith's family came down from him. Men from another town hurt Simeon's sister, Dinah. Simeon and his brother fought those men to pay them back. "Strangers" here means people from a different nation, not Israel.

3So you gave their rulers up to be killed. Their bed was stained red with blood. They had been tricked. You struck down the servants along with their masters. You struck the masters down on their thrones.

Wherefore thou gavest their rulers to be slain, so that they dyed their bed in blood, being deceived, and smotest the servants with their lords, and the lords upon their thrones;

NoteA throne is the special chair a king or ruler sits on.

4You gave their wives away as loot. Their daughters were carried off as prisoners. All their goods were shared out among your dear children. Your children were stirred by your zeal. They hated how their blood had been made unclean. They called out to you for help. O God, my God, hear me too. I am a widow.

And hast given their wives for a prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to be divided among thy dear children; which were moved with thy zeal, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon thee for aid: O God, O my God, hear me also a widow.

NoteLoot means things taken from people after winning a fight. Zeal is a strong, burning love for something. A widow is a woman whose husband has died.

5You did all those things. You also did what came before them. You did what came after them too. You thought out the things that are happening now. You thought out the things that are still to come.

For thou hast wrought not only those things, but also the things which fell out before, and which ensued after; thou hast thought upon the things which are now, and which are to come.

6Yes, the things you decided were ready and waiting. They said, 'Look, we are here.' All your ways are made ready. You know your judgments before they come.

Yea, what things thou didst determine were ready at hand, and said, Lo, we are here: for all thy ways are prepared, and thy judgments are in thy foreknowledge.

NoteGod's "judgments" are his decisions about what is right and what will happen.

7Look, the Assyrians have grown strong. They are lifted up with horses and riders. They boast about the strength of their foot soldiers. They trust in shield and spear and bow and sling. They do not know that you are the Lord who breaks battles. 'The Lord' is your name.

For, behold, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power; they are exalted with horse and man; they glory in the strength of their footmen; they trust in shield, and spear, and bow, and sling; and know not that thou art the Lord that breakest the battles: the Lord is thy name.

NoteThe Assyrians were people from a strong country far to the north. They had a huge army. Foot soldiers are soldiers who walk instead of riding horses. A sling is a leather strap that throws a stone very hard and far.

8Throw down their strength with your power. Bring down their force with your anger. They plan to make your holy place unclean. They plan to spoil the tent where your glorious name rests. They plan to cut down the horn of your altar with a sword.

Throw down their strength in thy power, and bring down their force in thy wrath: for they have purposed to defile thy sanctuary, and to pollute the tabernacle where thy glorious name resteth and to cast down with sword the horn of thy altar.

NoteThe holy place is the temple in Jerusalem, God's special building. It is called a tent because long ago God's people worshiped in a big tent. An altar is a stone table where gifts were burned for God. Its four corners had bumps shaped like horns.

9Look at their pride. Send your anger down on their heads. I am a widow. Put into my hand the power I have planned.

Behold their pride, and send thy wrath upon their heads: give into mine hand, which am a widow, the power that I have conceived.

10Strike them with the lies from my lips. Strike the servant along with the prince. Strike the prince along with the servant. Break down their grand pride by the hand of a woman.

Smite by the deceit of my lips the servant with the prince, and the prince with the servant: break down their stateliness by the hand of a woman.

Note"The servant and the prince" means everybody, from the least important person to the most important one.

11Your power does not come from big crowds. Your might does not come from strong men. You are the God of those who are hurting. You help those who are pushed down. You hold up the weak. You keep safe those who are left alone. You save those who have no hope.

For thy power standeth not in multitude nor thy might in strong men: for thou art a God of the afflicted, an helper of the oppressed, an upholder of the weak, a protector of the forlorn, a saviour of them that are without hope.

12Please, please hear me, O God of my father. You are the God of Israel's inheritance. You are Lord of the heavens and the earth. You made the waters. You are king of every living thing. Hear my prayer.

I pray thee, I pray thee, O God of my father, and God of the inheritance of Israel, Lord of the heavens and earth, Creator of the waters, king of every creature, hear thou my prayer:

NoteAn inheritance is something passed down in a family. Here it means the land God gave to the people of Israel.

13Let my words and my trick be their wound and their bruise. They have planned cruel things against your covenant. They have planned against your holy house and against the top of Zion. They have planned against the house that belongs to your children.

And make my speech and deceit to be their wound and stripe, who have purposed cruel things against thy covenant, and thy hallowed house, and against the top of Sion, and against the house of the possession of thy children.

NoteA covenant is a promise God and his people made to each other. Zion is the hill in Jerusalem where the temple stood.

14Make every nation and every tribe know this. You are the God of all power and might. No one else protects the people of Israel but you."

And make every nation and tribe to acknowledge that thou art the God of all power and might, and that there is none other that protecteth the people of Israel but thou.

NoteA tribe is a big group of families who all came from one grandfather long ago.

1She had been crying out to the God of Israel. Now she stopped. She had said all these words, and she was finished.

Now after that she had ceased to cry unto the God of Israel, and had made an end of all these words.

NoteCrying out here means praying out loud. She was not crying tears.

2She got up from where she had fallen down. She called her servant. Then she went down into the house. It was the house she stayed in on Sabbath days and feast days.

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,

NoteThe Sabbath is the special rest day that comes every week. Feast days were happy holidays when people remembered things God had done.

3She pulled off the sackcloth she was wearing. She took off the clothes she had worn as a widow. She washed her whole body with water. She rubbed sweet-smelling oil on herself. She braided her hair and put a headdress on it. Then she put on her happy clothes. She had worn them while her husband Manasses was alive.

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.

NoteSackcloth was rough, scratchy cloth. People wore it when they were very sad or when they prayed hard. A widow is a woman whose husband has died. Widows wore plain, dark clothes so everyone could see they were sad. The sweet-smelling oil was like perfume. People rubbed it on their skin after washing. A headdress is a pretty cloth or band worn over the hair.

4She put sandals on her feet. She put on her anklets, her bracelets, her rings, and her earrings. She put on all her other jewelry too. She made herself look very beautiful. She did it to fool the eyes of every man who saw her.

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.

NoteAnklets are rings worn around the ankle, above the foot. Jewelry like this showed that a woman was dressed for a happy day.

5She gave her servant a leather bottle of wine and a jar of oil. She filled a bag with roasted grain, lumps of figs, and fine bread. She wrapped it all up and laid it on her servant.

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.

NoteHer people had rules about which foods they were allowed to eat. So she carried her own food instead of eating the army's food. Roasted grain is grain cooked over a fire, a bit like popcorn. Figs are small, sweet fruits. People squashed them into lumps so they were easy to carry.

6So they went out to the gate of the city of Bethulia. Standing there they found Ozias and the town leaders, Chabris and Charmis.

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.

NoteBethulia was her town. It had a high wall around it with one big gate. The town leaders were the older men who made the decisions for everyone. They often sat by the gate.

7The men saw that her face looked different. Her clothes were different too. They were amazed at how beautiful she was. They said to her,

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.

8"May God, the God of our fathers, show you favor. May he let you finish what you have planned. May it bring honor to the people of Israel. May it lift up Jerusalem." Then she bowed down and worshiped God.

The God, the God of our fathers give thee favour, and accomplish thine enterprizes to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem. Then they worshipped God.

Note"The God of our fathers" means the God their grandfathers and great-grandfathers loved. To show favor means to be kind to someone and help them. Jerusalem was the most important city of Israel. God's temple stood there.

9She said to them, "Give the order to open the city gate for me. Then I will go out and do what we talked about." So they told the young men to open it for her, just as she said.

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.

10They did what she asked. Then Judith went out, and her servant went with her. The men of the city watched her go. She went down the mountain and across the valley. After that they could not see her anymore.

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.

NoteThe city was built high on a hill. That made it hard for enemies to attack.

11The two of them went straight on through the valley. The first Assyrian guards met her.

Thus they went straight forth in the valley: and the first watch of the Assyrians met her,

NoteThe Assyrians were soldiers from a faraway country. Their huge army had come to attack Judith's people. Guards took turns watching at night. Each turn was called a watch.

12They took hold of her. They asked, "Who are your people? Where do you come from? Where are you going?" She said, "I am a woman of the Hebrews. I have run away from them. They are about to be handed over to you to be destroyed.

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:

NoteHebrews is another name for the people of Israel, Judith's people.

13I am going to Holofernes, the chief captain of your army. I will tell him words that are true. I will show him a way he can go. He will win all the hill country. He will not lose one single man."

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.

NoteA chief captain is the leader of a whole army. The hill country is the high, bumpy land where Judith's people lived.

14The men heard her words and looked at her face. Her beauty amazed them very much. They said to her,

Now when the men heard her words, and beheld her countenance, they wondered greatly at her beauty, and said unto her,

15"You have saved your life by hurrying down to our master. Now come to his tent. Some of us will go with you. We will hand you over to him.

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.

NoteBy "our master" they mean Holofernes, the leader of their army.

16When you stand in front of him, do not be afraid inside. Tell him just what you told us. He will treat you well."

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.

17They picked a hundred men from among themselves. Those men went along with her and her servant. They brought her to the tent of Holofernes.

Then they chose out of them an hundred men to accompany her and her maid; and they brought her to the tent of Holofernes.

18A big crowd stirred all through the camp. The news that she had come spread among the tents. They came and stood all around her, outside the tent of Holofernes. They waited until someone told him about her.

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.

NoteThe camp was where the whole army lived in rows of tents.

19They were amazed at how beautiful she was. Because of her, they were amazed at the people of Israel too. Each man said to the man beside him, "Who would look down on a people with women like this? It is not good to leave even one of their men alive. If they are let go, they could fool the whole world."

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.

20The men who slept near Holofernes came out. All his servants came out too. They brought her into the tent.

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

NoteThese were the guards who slept close to Holofernes to keep him safe.

21Holofernes was resting on his bed. A cloth hung above it like a roof. It was woven with purple, gold, emeralds, and precious stones.

Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was woven with purple, and gold, and emeralds, and precious stones.

NotePurple cloth cost a great deal of money. Only very rich and powerful people had it. Emeralds are green jewels.

22So they told him about her. He came out to the space in front of his tent. Silver lamps went before him.

So they shewed him of her; and he came out before his tent with silver lamps going before him.

NoteLamps were small bowls of oil with a burning wick. Silver ones showed that Holofernes was important.

23Judith came and stood in front of him and his servants. They were all amazed at her beautiful face. She fell down on her face and bowed low to him. His servants lifted her back up.

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.

NoteLying face down on the ground was how people showed respect to a ruler. It was a polite greeting, like a very deep bow.

1Holofernes said to her, "Woman, cheer up. Do not be afraid inside your heart. I have never hurt anyone who was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor, the king of all the earth.

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.

NoteHolofernes was the general, the man leading the huge army outside the town. Nabuchodonosor was his king. That king wanted every country in the world to obey him.

2Your people live up in the mountains. If they had not treated me as nothing, I would not have raised my spear against them. They brought this on themselves.

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.

NoteTo "raise my spear against them" means to go to war with them.

3Now tell me why you ran away from them and came to us. You have come here to be safe. Cheer up! You will live tonight, and after this too.

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:

4No one will hurt you. Everyone will treat you well. That is how the servants of my lord King Nabuchodonosor are treated."

For none shall hurt thee, but entreat thee well, as they do the servants of king Nabuchodonosor my lord.

5Then Judith said to him, "Please listen to the words of your servant. Let me speak while I stand before you. I will not tell my lord one lie tonight.

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.

NoteJudith calls herself "your servant." That was a polite way to speak to a powerful man. It does not mean she really worked for him.

6If you follow the words of your servant, God will finish this work perfectly through you. My lord will not fail to do what he plans.

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.

7As surely as Nabuchodonosor, king of all the earth, lives, and as his power lives! He sent you to keep every living thing safe. Not only do people serve him through you. The wild animals, the cattle, and the birds of the sky will live by your strength, under Nabuchodonosor and all his household.

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.

NoteSaying "as surely as the king lives" was a way of making a promise. It meant the words that came next were really true.

8We have heard about your wisdom and your clever plans. The whole earth says that you alone are brave in all the kingdom. You have great knowledge. You do wonderful things in war.

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.

9Now about the thing Achior said in your meeting. We heard his words. The men of Bethulia saved him, and he told them everything he had said to you.

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.

NoteAchior was a leader who had spoken to Holofernes earlier. He said these people could not be beaten unless they sinned. Bethulia was the mountain town where Judith lived.

10So, my lord and master, do not push his words aside. Keep them in your heart, because they are true. Our people will not be punished. No sword can beat them, unless they sin against their God.

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.

NoteTo sin means to do what God has said not to do. "No sword can beat them" means no army can win against them.

11And now, so my lord will not be beaten or stopped from what he wants, death is falling on them. Their sin has caught up with them. They will make their God angry whenever they do what should not be done.

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:

12Their food has run out. All their water is almost gone. They have decided to kill their animals for food. They plan to eat the very things God's laws told them not to eat.

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:

NoteGod had given his people rules about food. Some animals were not allowed to be eaten at all.

13They have also made up their minds to use the first part of the harvest. They will use the tenth part of the wine and oil too. They had set those apart for the priests who serve before our God in Jerusalem. None of the people are even allowed to touch those things with their hands.

And are resolved to spend the firstfruits of 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.

NoteThe first part of a harvest was given to God as a thank you. People also gave one basket out of every ten. Priests were the men whose job was to serve God at the temple. Those gifts belonged to God, so no one else could touch them.

14They have sent some men to Jerusalem to bring back permission from the council of elders. The people who live there have been doing the same thing.

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.

NoteThe council of elders was a group of older leaders in Jerusalem. People asked them whenever a hard question came up.

15When the word comes back to them, they will do it right away. On that same day they will be handed over to you to be destroyed.

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.

16I am your servant, and I knew all this. That is why I ran away from them. God sent me to do things with you that will amaze the whole earth. Everyone who hears about it will be amazed.

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.

17Your servant loves God. I serve the God of heaven day and night. So now, my lord, I will stay with you. At night your servant will go out into the valley. I will pray to God, and he will tell me when they have sinned.

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:

18Then I will come and tell you. Then you can march out with your whole army. Not one of them will be able to stop you.

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.

19I will lead you right through the middle of Judea, until you come to Jerusalem. I will set your throne in the middle of it. You will drive them like sheep with no shepherd. Not even a dog will open its mouth at you. These things were told to me before they happened. They were made known to me, and I was sent to tell you."

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.

NoteJudea was the land where Judith's people lived. Jerusalem was their most important city. A throne is a king's special chair. Putting your throne in a city means you now rule it. Sheep with no shepherd get lost and run every way. And a dog not opening its mouth means no one even makes a sound at you.

20Her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants. They were amazed at how wise she was, and they said,

Then her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants; and they marvelled at her wisdom, and said,

21"There is no woman like her from one end of the earth to the other. No one has such a beautiful face and such wise words."

There is not such a woman from one end of the earth to the other, both for beauty of face, and wisdom of words.

22Holofernes also said to her, "God did well to send you ahead of your people. Now strength will be in our hands. Those who treated my lord as nothing will be destroyed.

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.

Note"Strength will be in our hands" is a way of saying, we will win.

23Your face is beautiful, and your words are wise. If you do just what you have said, your God will be my God. You will live in the palace of King Nabuchodonosor. You will be famous all over the earth."

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.

NoteSaying "your God will be my God" meant he would worship her God too.

1Holofernes said to bring Judith in where his silver dishes were set out. He told his servants to fix her some of his own food. She was to drink his own wine too.

Then he commanded to bring her in where his plate was set; and bade that they should prepare for her of his own meats, and that she should drink of his own wine.

NoteHolofernes was the general leading the huge army camped outside Judith's town.

2Judith said, "I will not eat it. It might make me do wrong. Let my food be the food I brought with me."

And Judith said, I will not eat thereof, lest there be an offence: but provision shall be made for me of the things that I have brought.

NoteGod had given Judith's people rules about which foods they could eat. Eating the general's food would break those rules.

3Holofernes said to her, "But what if your food runs out? Where would we get more like it? No one here is from your people."

Then Holofernes said unto her, If thy provision should fail, how should we give thee the like? for there be none with us of thy nation.

4Judith said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, my food will last. It will not run out before the Lord does through me what he has planned."

Then said Judith unto him As thy soul liveth, my lord, thine handmaid shall not spend those things that I have, before the Lord work by mine hand the things that he hath determined.

Note"As thy soul liveth" was a strong way of promising. It means "this is as true as the fact that you are alive."

5Then the servants of Holofernes brought her into the tent. She slept until the middle of the night. She got up near the morning watch.

Then the servants of Holofernes brought her into the tent, and she slept till midnight, and she arose when it was toward the morning watch,

NoteThe night was split into parts called watches. Guards took turns watching while everyone slept. The morning watch was the last part, just before the sun came up.

6She sent word to Holofernes. She said, "Please let my lord give an order. Let your servant go out to pray."

And sent to Holofernes, saving, Let my lord now command that thine handmaid may go forth unto prayer.

NoteJudith calls herself "thine handmaid," which means "your servant." It was a polite way to speak to someone powerful.

7So Holofernes told his guards not to stop her. She stayed in the camp for three days. Each night she went out into the valley of Bethulia. She washed herself at the spring of water in the camp.

Then Holofernes commanded his guard that they should not stay her: thus she abode in the camp three days, and went out in the night into the valley of Bethulia, and washed herself in a fountain of water by the camp.

NoteBethulia was Judith's own town. This army had come to take it. A camp is the field of tents where soldiers sleep.

8When she came up out of the water, she prayed to the Lord God of Israel. She asked him to guide her way, so her people's children would be raised up.

And when she came out, she besought the Lord God of Israel to direct her way to the raising up of the children of her people.

Note"Raised up" here means helped and made strong again. Judith was asking God to save her town.

9She came back in clean. She stayed in the tent until she ate her food toward evening.

So she came in clean, and remained in the tent, until she did eat her meat at evening.

NoteWashing was part of getting ready to pray. Coming in "clean" means she was ready to talk to God.

10On the fourth day Holofernes made a feast. He invited only his own servants. He did not call any of his officers to the meal.

And in the fourth day Holofernes made a feast to his own servants only, and called none of the officers to the banquet.

11He said to Bagoas the eunuch, who took care of everything he owned, "Go now to the Hebrew woman who is with you. Talk her into coming to us. Ask her to eat and drink with us."

Then said he to Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that he had, Go now, and persuade this Hebrew woman which is with thee, that she come unto us, and eat and drink with us.

NoteA eunuch was a special servant in a great house. He was trusted to look after everything his master owned.

12"Look, it would shame us to let such a woman go without having her with us. If we do not win her over, she will laugh at us."

For, lo, it will be a shame for our person, if we shall let such a woman go, not having had her company; for if we draw her not unto us, she will laugh us to scorn.

Note"Laugh us to scorn" means laugh at us and make fun of us.

13So Bagoas left Holofernes and went to her. He said, "Do not be afraid, fair young woman. Come to my lord. You will be honored in front of him. Drink wine and be happy with us. Today you can be like one of the Assyrian daughters who serve in the house of Nabuchodonosor."

Then went Bagoas from the presence of Holofernes, and came to her, and he said, Let not this fair damsel fear to come to my lord, and to be honoured in his presence, and drink wine, and be merry with us and be made this day as one of the daughters of the Assyrians, which serve in the house of Nabuchodonosor.

NoteThe Assyrians were the people this army came from. Nabuchodonosor was their king. His name is also spelled Nebuchadnezzar.

14Judith said to him, "Who am I to say no to my lord? I will quickly do whatever pleases him. It will be my joy until the day I die."

Then said Judith unto him, Who am I now, that I should gainsay my lord? surely whatsoever pleaseth him I will do speedily, and it shall be my joy unto the day of my death.

Note"Gainsay" is an old word. It means to say no to someone, or to argue back.

15So she got up and dressed in her fine clothes and all her woman's things. Her maid went and spread soft fleeces on the ground for her, across from Holofernes. Bagoas had given them to her to use each day, so she could sit and eat on them.

So she arose, and decked herself with her apparel and all her woman’s attire, and her maid went and laid soft skins on the ground for her over against Holofernes, which she had received of Bagoas for her daily use, that she might sit and eat upon them.

NoteFleeces are soft woolly skins from sheep. People sat on the ground to eat, so soft skins made a comfortable seat.

16Judith came in and sat down. The heart of Holofernes was carried away by her. His feelings were stirred, and he wanted her with him very much. Since the day he first saw her, he had been waiting for a time to trick her.

Now when Judith came in and sat down, Holofernes his heart was ravished with her, and his mind was moved, and he desired greatly her company; for he waited a time to deceive her, from the day that he had seen her.

17Holofernes said to her, "Drink now, and be happy with us."

Then said Holofernes unto her, Drink now, and be merry with us.

18Judith said, "I will drink now, my lord. Today my life is greater to me than any day since I was born."

So Judith said, I will drink now, my lord, because my life is magnified in me this day more than all the days since I was born.

NoteJudith's words could mean two things. Holofernes thought she was happy to be at his feast. She meant something else that only she knew.

19Then she took what her maid had made ready. She ate it and drank in front of him.

Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared.

20Holofernes was very pleased with her. He drank far more wine than he had ever drunk in one day since he was born.

And Holofernes took great delight in her, and drank more wine than he had drunk at any time in one day since he was born.