OET-RV JDT Chapter 10

10 When she’d ceased to cry to the god of Yisrael (Israel), and had finished saying all these words, 2 that she rose up where she’d fallen down, called her maid, and went down into the house that she lived on the Sabbath days and on her feast days. 3 She pulled off the sackcloth which she’d put on, took off the clothes of her widowhood, washed her body all over with water, anointed herself with rich ointment, braided the hair of her head, and put a tiara on it. She put on her clothes of gladness, which she used to wear in the days of the life of Menasheh (Manasseh) her husband. 4 She took sandals for her feet, and put on her anklet, bracelets, rings, earrings, and all her jewellery. She made herself very beautiful to deceive the eyes of all men who’d see her. 5 She gave her maid a leather container of wine and a flask of oil, and filled a bag with roasted grain, lumps of figs, and fine bread. She packed all her vessels together, and laid them on her.

6 They went out to the gate of the city of Betulia, and found Ozias and the elders of the city, Chabris and Charmis standing by it. 7 But when they saw her, that her face was altered and her clothing was changed, they were greatly astonished by her beauty and said to her, 8 “May the god of our fathers give you favour, and accomplish your purposes to the glory of the Israeli people, and to the exaltation of Yerushalem (Jerusalem).”

Then she worshipped God, 9 and said to them, “Command that they open the gate of the city for me, and I’ll go out to accomplish the things you spoke with me about.”

And they commanded the young men to open to her, as she’d spoken; 10 and they did so.

Then Yehudit (Judith) went out, she, and her handmaid with her. The men of the city watched her until she’d gone down the mountain, until she’d passed the valley, and they could see her no more. 11 They went straight onward in the valley. The watch of the Assyrians met her; 12 and they took her, and asked her, “Of what people are you? Where are you coming from? Where are you going?”

She said, “I’m a daughter of the Ivrim (Hebrews). I’m fleeing away from their presence, because they’re about to be given you to be consumed. 13 I’m coming into the presence of Holofernes the chief captain of your army, to declare words of truth. I’ll show him a way that he can go and win all the hill country, and there won’t be lacking of his men one person, nor one life.”

14 Now when the men heard her words, and looked at her face, they were astonished by her beauty. They said to her, 15 “You’ve saved your life, in that you’ve hurried to come down to the presence of our master. Now come to his tent. Some of us will guide you until they deliver you into his hands. 16 But when[fn] you stand before him, don’t be afraid in your heart, but declare to him what you just said, and he’ll treat you well.” 17 They chose out of them a hundred men, and appointed them to accompany her and her maid; and they brought them to Holofernes’ tent.

18 And there was great excitement throughout all the camp, for her coming was reported among the tents. They came and surrounded her as she stood outside Holofernes’ tent, until they told him about her. 19 They marvelled at her beauty, and marvelled at the Israeli people (Israel) because of her. Each one said to his neighbour, “Who’d despise these people, who have among them such women? Because it isn’t good that one man of them be left, seeing that, if they’re let go, they’ll be able to deceive the whole earth.

20 Then the guards of Holofernes and all his servants came out and brought her into the tent. 21 And Holofernes was resting on his bed under the canopy, which was woven with purple, gold, emeralds, and precious stones. 22 And they told him about her; and he came out into the space before his tent, with silver lamps going before him. 23 But when Yehudit (Judith) had come before him and his servants, they all marvelled at the beauty of her face. She fell down on her face and bowed down to him, but his servants raised her up.