Judith
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the Assyrians, sent his military leader Holofernes to conquer the kingdoms of the west that had defied his authority. Holofernes assembled a massive army and set out on a campaign of conquest, defeating and pillaging various cities and regions. The Israelites, upon hearing of the enemy's conquests, were filled with fear and took defensive measures, but Holofernes eventually arrived in the land of Gibeah, taking the cities and regrouping his troops. A pious widow named Judith learned that the city of Bethulia was about to be surrendered to the Assyrians and decided to take action. She prayed to God for help, then disguised herself as a Hebrew who had fled to reveal secrets to Holofernes, and was met with admiration by the Assyrian leader. Judith gained Holofernes' trust and eventually beheaded him while he was drunk and asleep, then escaped the Assyrian camp and returned to Bethulia. The Assyrian army fled in fear after learning of Holofernes' beheading, and the Israelites pursued them, striking down those they could find. Judith was celebrated as a hero for her bravery and chastity, and the Israelites commemorated her victory with feasts and offerings.
Chapter 1
Arphaxad, the king of the Medes, built a powerful city called Ecbatana with high walls and towers. However, in the twelfth year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the Assyrians, defeated Arphaxad in the great plain of Ragae. Nebuchadnezzar then sent messengers to various nations, including those in Cilicia, Damascus, and Jerusalem, but they were rejected and sent back empty. In response, Nebuchadnezzar swore to defend himself against these regions.
Chapter 2
Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians, ordered his military leader Holofernes to conquer all the kingdoms of the west that had defied his authority. Holofernes assembled a massive army of 120,000 foot-soldiers and 12,000 archers on horseback, along with abundant supplies and livestock. He then set out on a campaign of conquest, defeating and pillaging various cities and regions, including those in Cilicia, Mesopotamia, and Midian. His military victories inspired fear throughout the land.
Chapter 3
The kings and princes of various cities sent emissaries to Holofernes, offering to surrender and become subject to Nebuchadnezzar in order to avoid destruction. Holofernes accepted their surrender and took charge of the cities, recruiting strong men for war and inspiring dread in the provinces. The inhabitants of the cities welcomed him with festivities, but he remained unyielding and continued to destroy cities and sacred groves as part of Nebuchadnezzar's plan to eliminate all gods and be worshiped as the sole deity. Holofernes eventually arrived in the land of Gibeah, taking the cities and regrouping his troops for 30 days.
Chapter 4
The Israelites, upon hearing of the enemy's conquests, were filled with fear and took defensive measures, fortifying their villages and gathering grain in preparation for battle. They also sent out a call to hold the mountain passes and narrow passages to prevent the enemy from reaching Jerusalem. The people cried out to the Lord in urgency, fasting and praying, and the priests clothed themselves in haircloths and prostrated themselves before the temple. Eliachim, the high priest, exhorted the people to persevere in their fastings and prayers, assuring them that the Lord would heed their prayers and overcome their enemies.
Chapter 5
Holofernes, the leader of the Assyrian military, was enraged to hear that the Israelites were preparing to resist him. He called together the leaders of Moab and Ammon and asked them about the Israelites, their cities, power, and number. Achior, the commander of the Ammonites, explained that the Israelites were descended from the Chaldeans, worshipped one God, and had a history of being protected by their God, who had delivered them from various oppressors and plagues. Achior warned Holofernes that if the Israelites were not sinning against their God, they would be invincible, but if they were sinning, they would be easily defeated.
Chapter 6
Holofernes, enraged by Achior's prophecy that the Israelites would be defended by their God, ordered his servants to deliver Achior to the Israelites, intending to kill him once he had defeated the Israelites. The servants abandoned Achior, bound, near Bethulia, where he was found and freed by the Israelites. Achior recounted his encounter with Holofernes to the Israelites, who then prayed to God for help, acknowledging their humility and asking God to defend them against the arrogant Assyrians. The Israelites consoled Achior, promising that he would see the destruction of their enemies and be welcomed among them if God granted them freedom.
Chapter 7
Holofernes' army, consisting of 120,000 foot-soldiers and 22,000 horsemen, prepared to fight against the Israelites in Bethulia. The Israelites, seeing the multitude, prayed for God's mercy and took up arms to defend themselves. Holofernes discovered the city's water source and ordered it to be cut off, and the people of Bethulia eventually ran out of water after 20 days. The people, desperate and thirsty, begged Uzziah to surrender the city to Holofernes, but Uzziah convinced them to wait five more days for God's mercy.
Chapter 8
Judith, a pious widow, learns that Uzziah has promised to hand over the city to the Assyrians if no help arrives within five days. She summons the elders Chabris and Charmis, rebuking them for testing the Lord and setting a time limit for his mercy. Judith urges the elders to repent and beg for God's indulgence, reminding them that their fathers were tested and proved faithful through tribulations. The elders acknowledge the truth of her words and ask her to pray for them, and Judith proposes to take action, asking them to pray for her plan and to wait for her report before taking any further action.
Chapter 9
Judith prays to God, recalling His past victories and asking for help as a widow. She requests that God destroy the Assyrian army, who trust in their own strength and do not acknowledge Him. Judith asks for the power to deceive and defeat the enemy leader, Holofernes, and for God to remember His covenant and guide her actions. She acknowledges that God's power is not in numbers or strength, but in the pleas of the humble and meek.
Chapter 10
Judith arose from prayer, removed her mourning clothes, and adorned herself with fine garments and jewelry, and the Lord increased her beauty. She then set out with her handmaid, carrying food and drink, and was met with admiration by the city elders at the gate. Judith was stopped by Assyrian scouts, who were struck by her beauty, and she told them she was a Hebrew who had fled to reveal secrets to Holofernes, their leader. The scouts led her to Holofernes' tabernacle, where she captivated him with her beauty, and he was immediately taken with her.
Chapter 11
Holofernes questioned Judith about her reasons for leaving her people and coming to the Assyrians, and Judith responded by flattering Holofernes and Nebuchadnezzar, saying that she had fled her people because they had sinned against God and were now facing famine and destruction. Judith claimed that God was angry with her people and would deliver them into Holofernes' hands, and that she had been sent by God to report this to him. Holofernes and his servants were impressed by Judith's wisdom and beauty, and Holofernes promised to make her great in the house of Nebuchadnezzar if her promise proved true.
Chapter 12
Judith was given access to Holofernes' valuables and was offered food from his feast, but she declined, preferring to eat what she had brought with her. She was granted permission to exit the camp at night to pray and was allowed to do so for three days. On the fourth day, Holofernes invited Judith to dine with him, hoping to seduce her, and she accepted, dressing in her finest clothes and presenting herself before him. Holofernes was immediately smitten with Judith and encouraged her to drink and be merry, and she pretended to oblige, eating and drinking in his presence while her handmaid had prepared her food.
Chapter 13
Judith stood before Holofernes' bed, praying for God's assistance, then beheaded him while he was drunk and asleep. She took his head and gave it to her handmaid, and they escaped the Assyrian camp, returning to the city of Bethulia. Judith showed the head to the city's leaders and people, praising God for his power and mercy in using her to defeat the enemy. The people rejoiced and blessed Judith, and Achior, a former enemy, was brought before her and, upon seeing Holofernes' head, fell down in reverence and praised Judith and the God of Israel.
Chapter 14
Judith instructs the people to hang Holofernes' head on the wall and pretend to attack, knowing the Assyrian scouts will rush to awaken their leader, only to find his headless body and flee in fear. The plan unfolds as expected, with the scouts discovering Holofernes' body and the Assyrian army falling into chaos and panic. Meanwhile, Achior, a Gentile, is so moved by the power of the God of Israel that he converts to Judaism and is accepted into the community.
Chapter 15
The Assyrian army fled in fear after learning of Holofernes' beheading, and the Israelites pursued them, striking down those they could find. The Israelites from various cities and regions joined in the pursuit, chasing the Assyrians to the borders. The people of Bethulia then plundered the abandoned Assyrian camp, taking great riches and spoils. The high priest Joachim and the elders came from Jerusalem to bless and praise Judith for her bravery and chastity.
Chapter 16
Judith sings a canticle to the Lord, praising Him for delivering the Israelites from their enemies and for allowing her to defeat Holofernes through her beauty and cunning. The Assyrians and Medes are horrified by her bravery, and the Israelites celebrate their victory with feasts and offerings. Judith dedicates the spoils of war to the Lord and becomes a celebrated figure in Israel, known for her virtue and chastity. She lives out the rest of her life in her husband's house, and after her death, the Israelites mourn her for seven days and establish a festival to commemorate her victory.
Share this book