Judith 10 • Judith enters the Assyrian camp — Greek text and reception

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When she had ceased crying out to the God of Israel and had completed all these words,

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she rose from her prostration, called her maid, and went down into the house where she stayed on the Sabbath days and during her feasts.

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She removed the sackcloth she had been wearing, took off the garments of her widowhood, washed her body with water, anointed herself with rich perfume, combed the hair of her head, and put a headdress upon it. She put on the garments of her rejoicing, in which she had dressed while her husband Manasseh was alive.

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She put sandals on her feet and wore her anklets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and all her adornment. She made herself exceedingly beautiful to deceive the eyes of whatever men might see her.

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She gave her maid a skin of wine and a flask of oil, filled a bag with barley meal, a cake of dried fruit, and clean loaves, wrapped up all her vessels, and loaded them upon her.

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They went out to the gate of the city of Bethulia and found Uzziah and the city elders Chabris and Charmis standing there.

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When they saw her, her appearance changed and her clothing transformed, they were exceedingly astonished at her beauty and said to her:

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“May the God of our fathers grant you favor and bring your endeavors to completion, for the boast of the sons of Israel and the exaltation of Jerusalem.”

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She worshiped God and said to them, “Order the city gate to be opened for me, and I will go out to bring to completion the words you have spoken with me.” They ordered the young men to open it for her, just as she had said.

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They did so. Judith went out, she and her slave girl with her. The men of the city watched her until she had descended the mountain and crossed the valley, and they could no longer see her.

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They traveled straight through the valley, and an Assyrian advance guard met her.

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They seized her and asked, “Whose people are you? Where do you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am a daughter of the Hebrews, and I am fleeing from them, because they are about to be given to you as food.

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I am coming into the presence of Holofernes, commander-in-chief of your army, to report words of truth. I will show him a way by which he can go and gain mastery over the entire hill country, without a single body or breath of life among his men being lost.”

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When the men heard her words and studied her face—which appeared to them exceedingly wonderful in beauty—they said to her:

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“You have saved your life by hurrying down into the presence of our lord. Now approach his tent; some of us will escort you until they deliver you into his hands.

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When you stand before him, do not be afraid in your heart. Report what you have said, and he will treat you well.”

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They selected a hundred men from among them, assigned them to accompany her and her maid, and led them to Holofernes' tent.

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A crowd ran together throughout the camp, for her arrival had been proclaimed among the tents. They came and surrounded her as she stood outside Holofernes' tent, until he was informed about her.

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They marveled at her beauty, and because of her they marveled at the sons of Israel. Each said to his neighbor, “Who will despise this people, who have such women among them? It is not good to leave a single man of them alive, for if they are spared they will be able to outwit the whole earth.”

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Those who slept near Holofernes and all his attendants came out and brought her into the tent.

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Holofernes was resting on his couch beneath a canopy woven with purple, gold, emerald, and costly stones.

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They told him about her, and he came out to the front of the tent, with silver lamps going before him.

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When Judith came before him and his attendants, they all marveled at the beauty of her face. She fell on her face and bowed before him, and his slaves raised her up.