Judith 13 ὡς δὲ ὀψία ἐγένετο ἐσπούδασαν οἱ δοῦλοι αὐτοῦ ἀναλύειν καὶ βαγώας συνέκλεισεν τὴν σκηνὴν ἔξωθεν καὶ ἀπέκλεισεν τοὺς παρεστῶτας ἐκ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπῴχοντο εἰς τὰς κοίτας αὐτῶν ἦσαν γὰρ πάντες κεκοπωμένοι διὰ τὸ ἐπὶ πλεῖον γεγονέναι τὸν πότον

LXX_WH⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ ὡς δὲ ὀψία ἐγένετο ἐσπούδασαν οἱ δοῦλοι αὐτοῦ ἀναλύειν καὶ βαγώας συνέκλεισεν τὴν σκηνὴν ἔξωθεν καὶ ἀπέκλεισεν τοὺς παρεστῶτας ἐκ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπῴχοντο εἰς τὰς κοίτας αὐτῶν ἦσαν γὰρ πάντες κεκοπωμένοι διὰ τὸ ἐπὶ πλεῖον γεγονέναι τὸν πότον ² ὑπελείφθη δὲ ιουδιθ μόνη ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ καὶ ολοφέρνης προπεπτωκὼς ἐπὶ τὴν κλίνην αὐτοῦ ἦν γὰρ περικεχυμένος αὐτῷ ὁ οἶνος ³ καὶ εἶπεν ιουδιθ τῇ δούλῃ αὐτῆς στῆναι ἔξω τοῦ κοιτῶνος αὐτῆς καὶ ἐπιτηρεῖν τὴν ἔξοδον αὐτῆς καθάπερ καθ' ἡμέραν ἐξελεύσεσθαι γὰρ ἔφη ἐπὶ τὴν προσευχὴν αὐτῆς καὶ τῷ βαγώᾳ ἐλάλησεν κατὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ⁴ καὶ ἀπήλθοσαν πάντες ἐκ προσώπου καὶ οὐδεὶς κατελείφθη ἐν τῷ κοιτῶνι ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου καὶ στᾶσα ιουδιθ παρὰ τὴν κλίνην αὐτοῦ εἶπεν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς κύριε ὁ θεὸς πάσης δυνάμεως ἐπίβλεψον ἐν τῇ ὥρᾳ ταύτῃ ἐπὶ τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν μου εἰς ὕψωμα ιερουσαλημ ⁵ ὅτι νῦν καιρὸς ἀντιλαβέσθαι τῆς κληρονομίας σου καὶ ποιῆσαι τὸ ἐπιτήδευμά μου εἰς θραῦσμα ἐχθρῶν οἳ ἐπανέστησαν ἡμῖν ⁶ καὶ προσελθοῦσα τῷ κανόνι τῆς κλίνης ὃς ἦν πρὸς κεφαλῆς ολοφέρνου καθεῖλεν τὸν ἀκινάκην αὐτοῦ ἀπ' αὐτοῦ ⁷ καὶ ἐγγίσασα τῆς κλίνης ἐδράξατο τῆς κόμης τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν κραταίωσόν με κύριε ὁ θεὸς ισραηλ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ⁸ καὶ ἐπάταξεν εἰς τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ δὶς ἐν τῇ ἰσχύι αὐτῆς καὶ ἀφεῖλεν τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ἀπ' αὐτοῦ ⁹ καὶ ἀπεκύλισε τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῆς στρωμνῆς καὶ ἀφεῖλε τὸ κωνώπιον ἀπὸ τῶν στύλων καὶ μετ' ὀλίγον ἐξῆλθεν καὶ παρέδωκεν τῇ ἅβρᾳ αὐτῆς τὴν κεφαλὴν ολοφέρνου ¹⁰ καὶ ἐνέβαλεν αὐτὴν εἰς τὴν πήραν τῶν βρωμάτων αὐτῆς καὶ ἐξῆλθον αἱ δύο ἅμα κατὰ τὸν ἐθισμὸν αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὴν προσευχήν καὶ διελθοῦσαι τὴν παρεμβολὴν ἐκύκλωσαν τὴν φάραγγα ἐκείνην καὶ προσανέβησαν τὸ ὄρος βαιτυλουα καὶ ἤλθοσαν πρὸς τὰς πύλας αὐτῆς ¹¹ καὶ εἶπεν ιουδιθ μακρόθεν τοῖς φυλάσσουσιν ἐπὶ τῶν πυλῶν ἀνοίξατε ἀνοίξατε δὴ τὴν πύλην μεθ' ἡμῶν ὁ θεὸς ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ποιῆσαι ἔτι ἰσχὺν ἐν ισραηλ καὶ κράτος κατὰ τῶν ἐχθρῶν καθὰ καὶ σήμερον ἐποίησεν ¹² καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσαν οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως αὐτῆς τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῆς ἐσπούδασαν τοῦ καταβῆναι ἐπὶ τὴν πύλην τῆς πόλεως αὐτῶν καὶ συνεκάλεσαν τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς πόλεως ¹³ καὶ συνέδραμον πάντες ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν ὅτι παράδοξον ἦν αὐτοῖς τὸ ἐλθεῖν αὐτήν καὶ ἤνοιξαν τὴν πύλην καὶ ὑπεδέξαντο αὐτὰς καὶ ἅψαντες πῦρ εἰς φαῦσιν περιεκύκλωσαν αὐτάς ¹⁴ ἡ δὲ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φωνῇ μεγάλῃ αἰνεῖτε τὸν θεόν αἰνεῖτε αἰνεῖτε τὸν θεόν ὃς οὐκ ἀπέστησεν τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴκου ισραηλ ἀλλ' ἔθραυσε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν διὰ χειρός μου ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ ¹⁵ καὶ προελοῦσα τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐκ τῆς πήρας ἔδειξεν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἰδοὺ ἡ κεφαλὴ ολοφέρνου ἀρχιστρατήγου δυνάμεως ασσουρ καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ κωνώπιον ἐν ᾧ κατέκειτο ἐν ταῖς μέθαις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος ἐν χειρὶ θηλείας ¹⁶ καὶ ζῇ κύριος ὃς διεφύλαξέν με ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ μου ᾗ ἐπορεύθην ὅτι ἠπάτησεν αὐτὸν τὸ πρόσωπόν μου εἰς ἀπώλειαν αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησεν ἁμάρτημα μετ' ἐμοῦ εἰς μίασμα καὶ αἰσχύνην ¹⁷ καὶ ἐξέστη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα καὶ κύψαντες προσεκύνησαν τῷ θεῷ καὶ εἶπαν ὁμοθυμαδόν εὐλογητὸς εἶ ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ὁ ἐξουδενώσας ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ σήμερον τοὺς ἐχθροὺς τοῦ λαοῦ σου ¹⁸ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ οζιας εὐλογητὴ σύ θύγατερ τῷ θεῷ τῷ ὑψίστῳ παρὰ πάσας τὰς γυναῖκας τὰς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ εὐλογημένος κύριος ὁ θεός ὃς ἔκτισεν τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ τὴν γῆν ὃς κατεύθυνέν σε εἰς τραῦμα κεφαλῆς ἄρχοντος ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν ¹⁹ ὅτι οὐκ ἀποστήσεται ἡ ἐλπίς σου ἀπὸ καρδίας ἀνθρώπων μνημονευόντων ἰσχὺν θεοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος ²⁰ καὶ ποιήσαι σοι αὐτὰ ὁ θεὸς εἰς ὕψος αἰώνιον τοῦ ἐπισκέψασθαί σε ἐν ἀγαθοῖς ἀνθ' ὧν οὐκ ἐφείσω τῆς ψυχῆς σου διὰ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τοῦ γένους ἡμῶν ἀλλ' ἐπεξῆλθες τῷ πτώματι ἡμῶν ἐπ' εὐθεῖαν πορευθεῖσα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ εἶπαν πᾶς ὁ λαός γένοιτο γένοιτο

Clementine_Vulgate⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Ut autem sero factum est, festinaverunt servi illius ad hospitia sua, et conclusit Vagao ostia cubiculi, et abiit. ² Erant autem omnes fatigati a vino, ³ eratque Judith sola in cubiculo. ⁴ Porro Holofernes jacebat in lecto, nimia ebrietate sopitus. ⁵ Dixitque Judith puellæ suæ ut staret foris ante cubiculum, et observaret. ⁶ Stetitque Judith ante lectum, orans cum lacrimis, et labiorum motu in silentio, ⁷ dicens: Confirma me, Domine Deus Israël, et respice in hac hora ad opera manuum mearum, ut, sicut promisisti, Jerusalem civitatem tuam erigas: et hoc quod credens per te posse fieri cogitavi, perficiam. ⁸ Et cum hæc dixisset, accessit ad columnam quæ erat ad caput lectuli ejus, et pugionem ejus, qui in ea ligatus pendebat, exsolvit. ⁹ Cumque evaginasset illum, apprehendit comam capitis ejus, et ait: Confirma me, Domine Deus, in hac hora. ¹⁰ Et percussit bis in cervicem ejus, et abscidit caput ejus, et abstulit conopeum ejus a columnis, et evolvit corpus ejus truncum. ¹¹ Et post pusillum exivit, et tradidit caput Holofernis ancillæ suæ, et jussit ut mitteret illud in peram suam. ¹² Et exierunt duæ, secundum consuetudinem suam, quasi ad orationem, et transierunt castra, et gyrantes vallem, venerunt ad portam civitatis. ¹³ Et dixit Judith a longe custodibus murorum: Aperite portas, quoniam nobiscum est Deus, qui fecit virtutem in Israël. ¹⁴ Et factum est cum audissent viri vocem ejus, vocaverunt presbyteros civitatis. ¹⁵ Et concurrerunt ad eam omnes, a minimo usque ad maximum: quoniam sperabant eam jam non esse venturam. ¹⁶ Et accendentes luminaria, congyraverunt circa eam universi: illa autem ascendens in eminentiorem locum, jussit fieri silentium. Cumque omnes tacuissent, ¹⁷ dixit Judith: Laudate Dominum Deum nostrum, qui non deseruit sperantes in se, ¹⁸ et in me ancilla sua adimplevit misericordiam suam, quam promisit domui Israël: et interfecit in manu mea hostem populi sui hac nocte. ¹⁹ Et proferens de pera caput Holofernis, ostendit illis, dicens: Ecce caput Holofernis principis militiæ Assyriorum, et ecce conopeum illius, in quo recumbebat in ebrietate sua, ubi per manum feminæ percussit illum Dominus Deus noster. ²⁰ Vivit autem ipse Dominus, quoniam custodivit me angelus ejus et hinc euntem, et ibi commorantem, et inde huc revertentem, et non permisit me Dominus ancillam suam coinquinari, sed sine pollutione peccati revocavit me vobis gaudentem in victoria sua, in evasione mea, et in liberatione vestra. ²¹ Confitemini illi omnes, quoniam bonus, quoniam in sæculum misericordia ejus. ²² Universi autem adorantes Dominum, dixerunt ad eam: Benedixit te Dominus in virtute sua, quia per te ad nihilum redegit inimicos nostros. ²³ Porro Ozias princeps populi Israël dixit ad eam: Benedicta es tu, filia, a Domino Deo excelso præ omnibus mulieribus super terram. ²⁴ Benedictus Dominus, qui creavit cælum et terram, qui te direxit in vulnera capitis principis inimicorum nostrorum: ²⁵ quia hodie nomen tuum ita magnificavit, ut non recedat laus tua de ore hominum qui memores fuerint virtutis Domini in æternum, pro quibus non pepercisti animæ tuæ propter angustias et tribulationem generis tui, sed subvenisti ruinæ ante conspectum Dei nostri. ²⁶ Et dixit omnis populus: Fiat, fiat. ²⁷ Porro Achior vocatus venit, et dixit ei Judith: Deus Israël, cui tu testimonium dedisti quod ulciscatur se de inimicis suis, ipse caput omnium incredulorum incidit hac nocte in manu mea. ²⁸ Et ut probes quia ita est, ecce caput Holofernis, qui in contemptu superbiæ suæ Deum Israël contempsit, et tibi interitum minabatur, dicens: Cum captus fuerit populus Israël, gladio perforari præcipiam latera tua. ²⁹ Videns autem Achior caput Holofernis, angustiatus præ pavore cecidit in faciem suam super terram, et æstuavit anima ejus. ³⁰ Postea vero quam resumpto spiritu recreatus est, procidit ad pedes ejus, et adoravit eam, et dixit: ³¹ Benedicta tu a Deo tuo in omni tabernaculo Jacob, quoniam in omni gente quæ audierit nomen tuum, magnificabitur super te Deus Israël.

Wycliffe⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Forsothe as euentid was maad, hise seruauntis hastiden to her ynnes; and Vagao closid togidere the doris of the closet, and yede forth. ² For alle men weren maad feynt of wiyn; ³ and Judith aloone was in the closet. ⁴ Certis Holofernes lai in the bed, aslepid with ful myche drunkenesse. ⁵ And Judith seide to hir damesele, that sche schulde stonde with outforth bifor the dore of the closet, and aspie. ⁶ And Judith stood bifor the bed, preiynge with teeris, and with stiryng of lippis `in silence, ⁷ seiynge, Lord God of Israel, conferme me, and biholde in this our to the werkis of myn hondis, that, as thou bihiytist, thou reise Jerusalem thi citee; and that Y performe this thing, which thing Y bileuynge thouyte to mow be doon bi thee. ⁸ And whanne sche hadde seid this, sche neiyede to the piler that was at the heed of his bed, and sche loside his swerd, that hangide boundun `ther ynne. ⁹ And whanne sche hadde drawe out of the scheeth thilke swerd, sche took the heer of his heed; and seide, Lord God of Israel, conferme me in this our. ¹⁰ And sche smoot twies on his necke, and kittide awei his heed; and sche took awei his curteyn fro the pileris, and walewide awei his bodi heedles. ¹¹ And aftir a litil sche yede out, and bitook the heed of Holofernes to hir handmaide, and comaundide, that sche schulde putte it in to hir scrippe. ¹² And the twei wymmen yeden out `bi her custom as to preier, and passiden the castels of Assiriens, and thei cumpassiden the valei, and camen to the yate of the citee. ¹³ And Judith seide afer to the keperis of the wallis, `Opene ye the yatis, for God is with vs, that hath do greet vertu in Israel. ¹⁴ And it was doon, whanne the men hadden herd `her vois, thei clepiden the prestis of the citee. ¹⁵ And alle men fro the leest `til to the mooste runnen to hir; for thei hopiden not, that sche schulde come now. ¹⁶ And thei teendiden liytis, and alle men cumpassiden aboute hir. Sotheli sche stiede in to an hiyere place, and comaundide silence to be maad. And whanne alle men weren stille, ¹⁷ Judith seide, Herie ye `oure Lord God, that hath not forsake hem that hopen in hym, ¹⁸ and bi me, his handmaide, he hath fillid his merci, which he bihiyte to the hows of Israel, and hath slayn in myn hond the enemye of his puple `in this niyt. ¹⁹ And sche `brouyte forth of the scrippe the heed of Holofernes, and schewide it to hem, and seide, Lo! the heed of Holofernes, prince of the chiualrie of Assiriens; and, lo! his curteyn, in which he lay in his drunkenesse, where also oure Lord God killide hym bi the hond of a womman. ²⁰ Forsothe the Lord God lyueth, for his aungel kepte me, bothe goynge fro hennus, and dwellynge there, and turnynge ayen fro thennus hidur; and the Lord `suffride not his handmaide to be defoulid, but with out defoulyng of synne he ayen clepid me to you, and Y haue ioie in his victorie, and in `my scapyng, and in youre delyueraunce. ²¹ Knouleche ye alle to hym, for he is good, for his mercy is in to `the world. ²² Sotheli alle men worschipiden the Lord, and seiden to hir, The Lord hath blessid thee in his vertu, for bi thee he hath brouyt to nouyt oure enemyes. ²³ Certis Ozie, prince of the puple of Israel, seide to hir, Douytir, thou art blessid of the hiy Lord God, bifor alle wymmen on erthe. ²⁴ Blessid be the Lord, that made heuene and erthe, and that dresside thee in to the woundis of the heed of the prince of oure enemyes; ²⁵ for to dai he hath magnefied so thi name, that thi preisyng go not awei fro the mouth of men, that schulen be myndeful of the vertu of the Lord with outen ende; for whiche thou sparidist not thi lijf for the angwischis and tribulaciouns of thi kyn, but helpidist the fallinge bifor the siyt of oure God. ²⁶ And al the puple seide, `Be it! be it! ²⁷ Forsothe Achior was clepid, and cam; and Judith seide to hym, Thilke God of Israel, to whom thou yauest witnessyng, that he auengith hym of hise enemyes, hath kit of the heed of alle vnbileueful men in this niyt bi myn hond. ²⁸ And that thou preue that it is so, lo! the heed of Holofernes, which in the dispit of his pride dispiside God of Israel, and manaasside deth to thee, and seide, Whanne the puple of Israel is takun, Y schal comaunde thi sidis to be persid with a swerd. ²⁹ Sotheli Achior siy the heed of Holofernes, and was angwischid for drede, and felde doun on his face on the erthe, and his soule suffride eneyntisyng. ³⁰ Sotheli aftir that he hadde take ayen spirit, and was coumfortid, he felde doun at `hir feet, and worschipide hir, ³¹ and seide, Blessid art thou of thi God in al the tabernacle of Jacob; for in ech folk, that schal here thi name, God of Israel schal be magnyfied in thee.

Geneva⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Now when the euening was come, his seruants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent without, and dismissed those that were present, from the presence of his lorde, and they went to their beddes: for they were all weary, because the feast had bene long. ² And Iudeth was left alone in the tent, and Olofernes was stretched along vpon his bed: for he was filled with wine. ³ Nowe Iudeth had commanded her maide to stande without her chamber, and to waite for her comming foorth as she did daily: for she saide, she would go forth to her prayers, and she spake to Bagoas according to the same purpose. ⁴ So all went foorth of her presence, and none was left in the chamber, neither litle nor great: then Iudeth standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lorde God of all power, beholde at this present the workes of mine handes for the exaltation of Ierusalem. ⁵ For nowe is the time to helpe thine inheritance, and to execute mine enterprises, to the destruction of the enemies which are risen against vs. ⁶ Then she came to the post of the bed which was at Olofernes head, and tooke downe his fauchin from thence, ⁷ And approched to the bed, and tooke holde of the heare of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel this day. ⁸ And she smote twise vpon his necke with al her might, and she tooke away his head from him, ⁹ And rolled his bodie downe from the bed, and pulled downe the canopie from the pillars, and anon after she went foorth, and gaue Olofernes head to her maide, ¹⁰ And she put it in her scrippe of meate: so they twaine went together according to their custome vnto praier, and preassing through the tents, went about by that valley, & went vp to the moutaine of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof. ¹¹ Then said Iudeth afarre off to the watchmen at the gates, Open nowe the gate: God, euen our God is with vs to shewe his power yet in Ierusalem, and his force against his enemies, as he hath euen done this day. ¹² Nowe when the men of her citie heard her voyce, they made haste to goe downe to the gate of their citie, and they called the Elders of the city. ¹³ And they ranne all together both small and great: for it was aboue their expectation, that she shoulde come. So they opened the gate and receiued her, and made a fire for a light, and stood roud about them twaine. ¹⁴ Then she said to them with a loude voyce, Praise God, praise God: for he hath not taken away his mercie from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies by mine hands this night. ¹⁵ So she tooke the head out of the scrippe and shewed it, and said vnto them, Beholde the head of Olofernes, the chiefe captaine of the armie of Assur, and beholde the canopie, wherein he did lye in his drunkennes, and the Lord hath smitteth him by the hande of a woman. ¹⁶ As the Lorde liueth, who hath kept me in my way that I went, my countenance hath deceiued him to his destruction, and he hath not committed sinne with me by any pollution or villenie. ¹⁷ Then all the people were wonderfully astonished, and bowed them selues, and worshipped God, and said with one accorde, Blessed be thou, O our God, which hast this day brought to nought the enemies of thy people. ¹⁸ Then said Ozias vnto her, O daughter, blessed art thou of the most hie God aboue al the women of the earth, and blessed be the Lorde God, which hath created the heauens and the earth, which hath directed thee to the cutting off of the head of the chiefe of our enemies. ¹⁹ Surely this thine hope shall neuer departe out of the heartes of men: for they shall remember the power of God for euer. ²⁰ And God turne these things to thee for a perpetuall praise, and visite thee with good things, because thou hast not spared thy life, because of the affliction of our nation, but thou hast holpen our ruine, walking a straight way before our God; all the people said, So be it, so be it.

Bishops⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Now when it was late in the night, his seruauntes made haste euery man to his lodging: And Uagao shut the chamber doores, & went his way: ² For they were al ouerladen with wine. ³ So was Iudith alone in the chamber. ⁴ As for Holophernes he lay vpon the bed [all drunken] and of very drunckennesse fell asleepe. ⁵ Then commaunded Iudith her mayden to stande without before the doore and to wayte. ⁶ And Iudith stoode before the bed, making her prayer with teares, & moued her lyppes secretly, ⁷ And saide: Strengthen me O Lorde God of Israel, and haue respect vnto the workes of myne handes in this houre, that thou mayest set vp thy citie of Hierusalem lyke as thou hast promysed: And graunt that I may perfourme the thing, which in hope that it may be done by thee, I haue deuised. ⁸ And when she had spoke this, she went to the piller that was at Holophernes beddes head, and loosed his sword that hanged vpon it, and drewe it out: ⁹ And when she had taken it out of the scabberd, she tooke holde of the heery lockes of his head, and sayde: Strengthen me O Lorde God in this houre. ¹⁰ And with that she gaue him two strokes vpon the necke, & smote of his head: Then tooke she the canapie away from the pillers, and roulled the dead body asyde. ¹¹ Immediatly she gat her foorth, and deliuered the head of Holophernes vnto her mayden, and bad her put it in her wallet. ¹² And so these two went foorth together after their custome, as though they would pray: and so passed by the hoast, and came about through the valley vnto the porte of the citie. ¹³ And Iudith cryed a farre of vnto the watchmen vpon the walles: Open the gates [saide she] for God is with vs which hath shewed his power in Israel. ¹⁴ And when they heard her voyce, they called the elders of the citie [together.] ¹⁵ And they came all to meete her, litle & great, young & olde: for they thought not that she should haue come so soone. ¹⁶ So they lighted candels, and gathered about her euery one: but she went vp into an high place, and caused scilence to be proclaymed. ¹⁷ And when euery man now held his peace, Iudith saide: O prayse the Lord our God, for he hath not despised nor forsaken them that put their trust in him: ¹⁸ And in me his handmayden he hath perfourmed his mercy, which he promised vnto the house of Israel: Yea, in my hand this same night hath he slaine the enemie of his people. ¹⁹ And with that she tooke foorth the head of Holophernes out of the wallet, and shewed it them, saying: Behold the head of Holophernes the captayne of the armie of the Assyrians, and this is his canapie wherin he lay in his drunkennes, where the Lord our God hath slaine him by the hande of a woman. ²⁰ But as the Lorde liueth, his angell hath kept me going thither, remayning there, and comming hither againe from thence: And the Lorde hath not suffred me his handmayden to be defiled, but without any defiling of sinne hath he brought me againe vnto you: and that with great victorie, so that I am escaped, and ye deliuered. ²¹ O geue thankes vnto him euery one, for he is gratious, and his mercy endureth for euer. ²² So they praysed the Lorde altogether [and gaue thankes vnto him,] and to her they saide: The Lorde hath blessed thee in his power, for through thee he hath brought our enemies to naught. ²³ And Osias the chiefe ruler of the people of Israel saide vnto her: Blessed art thou of the Lorde the high God, aboue all women vpon earth. ²⁴ Blessed be the Lorde the maker of heauen and earth, which hath guided thee aright to wounde and to smyte of the head of the captayne of our enemies. ²⁵ For this day he hath made thy name so honorable, that thy prayse shall neuer come out of the mouth of men which shal alway remember the power of the Lord, seeing thou hast not spared thyne owne selfe [but put thee in ieopardie] considering the anguishe and trouble of thy people: and so hast helped their fall before God our Lorde. ²⁶ And all the people said, Amen, Amen. ²⁷ Achior also was called, and he came: Then said Iudith vnto him, The God of Israel, vnto whom thou gauest witnesse that he would be auenged of his enemies, euen he hath this night through my hande smitten of the head of all the vnfaithfull. ²⁸ And that thou mayst see that it so is, behold this is the head of Holophernes, which in his presumptuous pride despised the God of the people of Israel, and threatened thee with destruction, saying, When the people of Israel is taken, I shall cause thee also to be stickt with the sword. ²⁹ When Achior saw Holophernes head, he fell downe vpon his face to the grounde for very anguishe and feare, so that he sowned withall. ³⁰ But after that he was come againe to him selfe, he fell downe before her, and praysed her, saying: ³¹ Blessed art thou of thy God in all the tabernacles of Iacob: for all the people that heare of thy name, shall prayse the God of Israel, because of thee.

DouayRheims⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ And when it was grown late, his servants made haste to their lodgings, and Vagao shut the chamber doors, and went his way. ² And they were all overcharged with wine. ³ And Judith was alone in the chamber. ⁴ But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk. ⁵ And Judith spoke to her maid to stand without before the chamber, and to watch: ⁶ And Judith stood before the bed praying with tears, and the motion of her lips in silence, ⁷ Saying: Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayst raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee. ⁸ And when she had said this, she went to the pillar that was at his bed's head, and loosed his sword that hung tied upon it. ⁹ And when she had drawn it out, she took him by the hair of his head, and said: Strengthen me, O Lord God, at this hour. ¹⁰ And she struck twice upon his neck, and out off his head, and took off his canopy from the pillars, and rolled away his headless body. ¹¹ And after a while she went out, and delivered the head of Holofernes to her maid, and bade her put it into her wallet. ¹² And they two went out according to their custom, as it were to prayer, and they passed the camp, and having compassed the valley, they came to the gate of the city. ¹³ And Judith from afar off cried to the watchmen upon the walls: Open the gates for God is with us, who hath shewn his power in Israel. ¹⁴ And it came to pass, when the men had heard her voice, that they called the ancients of the city. ¹⁵ And all ran to meet her from the least to the greatest: for they now had no hopes that she would come. ¹⁶ And lighting up lights they all gathered round about her: and she went up to a higher place, and commanded silence to be made. And when all had held their peace, ¹⁷ Judith said: Praise ye the Lord our God, who hath not forsaken them that hope in him. ¹⁸ And by me his handmaid he hath fulfilled his mercy, which he promised to the house of Israel: and he hath killed the enemy of his people by my hand this night. ¹⁹ Then she brought forth the head of Holofernes out of the wallet, and shewed it them, saying: Behold the head of Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, and behold his canopy, wherein he lay in his drunkenness, where the Lord our God slew him by the hand of a woman. ²⁰ But as the same Lord liveth, his angel hath been my keeper both going hence, and abiding there, and returning from thence hither: and the Lord hath not suffered me his handmaid to be defiled, but hath brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for his victory, for my escape, and for your deliverance. ²¹ Give all of you glory to him, because he is good, because his mercy endureth for ever. ²² And they all adored the Lord, and said to her: The Lord hath blessed thee by his power, because by thee he hath brought our enemies to nought. ²³ And Ozias the prince of the people of Israel, said to her: Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth. ²⁴ Blessed be the Lord who made heaven and earth, who hath directed thee to the cutting off the head of the prince of our enemies. ²⁵ Because he hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men who shall be mindful of the power of the Lord for ever, for that thou hast not spared thy life, by reason of the distress and tribulation of thy people, but hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God. ²⁶ And all the people said: So be it, so be it. ²⁷ And Achior being called for came, and Judith said to him: The God of Israel, to whom thou gavest testimony, that he revengeth himself of his enemies, he hath cut off the head of all the unbelievers this night by my hand. ²⁸ And that thou mayst find that it is so, behold the head of Holofernes, who in the contempt of his pride despised the God of Israel: and threatened thee with death, saying: When the people of Israel shall be taken, I will command thy sides to be pierced with a sword. ²⁹ Then Achior seeing the head of Holofernes, being seized with a great fear he fell on his face upon the earth, and his soul swooned away. ³⁰ But after he had recovered his spirits he fell down at her feet, and reverenced her and said: ³¹ Blessed art thou by thy God in every tabernacle of Jacob, for in every nation which shall hear thy name, the God of Israel shall be magnified on occasion of thee.

KJV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Now when the evening was come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent without, and dismissed the waiters from the presence of his lord; and they went to their beds: for they were all weary, because the feast had been long. ² And Judith was left along in the tent, and Holofernes lying along upon his bed: for he was filled with wine. ³ Now Judith had commanded her maid to stand without her bedchamber, and to wait for her. coming forth, as she did daily: for she said she would go forth to her prayers, and she spake to Bagoas according to the same purpose. ⁴ So all went forth and none was left in the bedchamber, neither little nor great. Then Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lord God of all power, look at this present upon the works of mine hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem. ⁵ For now is the time to help thine inheritance, and to execute thine enterprizes to the destruction of the enemies which are risen against us. ⁶ Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes' head, and took down his fauchion from thence, ⁷ And approached to his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, this day. ⁸ And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took away his head from him. ⁹ And tumbled his body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy from the pillars; and anon after she went forth, and gave Holofernes his head to her maid; ¹⁰ And she put it in her bag of meat: so they twain went together according to their custom unto prayer: and when they passed the camp, they compassed the valley, and went up the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof. ¹¹ Then said Judith afar off, to the watchmen at the gate, Open, open now the gate: God, even our God, is with us, to shew his power yet in Jerusalem, and his forces against the enemy, as he hath even done this day. ¹² Now when the men of her city heard her voice, they made haste to go down to the gate of their city, and they called the elders of the city. ¹³ And then they ran all together, both small and great, for it was strange unto them that she was come: so they opened the gate, and received them, and made a fire for a light, and stood round about them. ¹⁴ Then she said to them with a loud voice, Praise, praise God, praise God, I say, for he hath not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies by mine hands this night. ¹⁵ So she took the head out of the bag, and shewed it, and said unto them, behold the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Assur, and behold the canopy, wherein he did lie in his drunkenness; and the Lord hath smitten him by the hand of a woman. ¹⁶ As the Lord liveth, who hath kept me in my way that I went, my countenance hath deceived him to his destruction, and yet hath he not committed sin with me, to defile and shame me. ¹⁷ Then all the people were wonderfully astonished, and bowed themselves and worshipped God, and said with one accord, Blessed be thou, O our God, which hast this day brought to nought the enemies of thy people. ¹⁸ Then said Ozias unto her, O daughter, blessed art thou of the most high God above all the women upon the earth; and blessed be the Lord God, which hath created the heavens and the earth, which hath directed thee to the cutting off of the head of the chief of our enemies. ¹⁹ For this thy confidence shall not depart from the heart of men, which remember the power of God for ever. ²⁰ And God turn these things to thee for a perpetual praise, to visit thee in good things because thou hast not spared thy life for the affliction of our nation, but hast revenged our ruin, walking a straight way before our God. And all the people said; So be it, so be it.

ERV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ But when the evening was come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut the tent without, and dismissed them that waited from the presence of his lord; and they went away to their beds: for they were all weary, because the feast had been long. ² But Judith was left alone in the tent, and Holofernes lying along upon his bed: for he was overflown with wine. ³ And Judith had said to her servant that she should stand without her bedchamber, and wait for her coming forth, as she did daily: for she said she would go forth to her prayer; and she spake to Bagoas according to the same words. ⁴ And all went away from her presence, and none was left in the bedchamber, neither small nor great. And Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lord God of all power, look in this hour upon the works of my hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem. ⁵ For now is the time to help thine inheritance, and to do the thing that I have purposed to the destruction of the enemies which are risen up against us. ⁶ And she came to the rail of the bed, which was at Holofernes’ head, and took down his scimitar from thence; ⁷ And she drew near unto the bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, this day. ⁸ And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and took away his head from him, ⁹ and tumbled his body down from the bed, and took down the canopy from the pillars; and after a little while she went forth, and gave Holofernes’ head to her maid; ¹⁰ and she put it in her bag of victuals: and they twain went forth together unto prayer, according to their custom: and they passed through the camp, and compassed that valley, and went up to the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof. ¹¹ And Judith said afar off to the watchmen at the gates, Open, open now the gate: God is with us, even our God, to shew his power yet in Israel, and his might against the enemy, as he hath done even this day. ¹² And it came to pass, when the men of her city heard her voice, they made haste to go down to the gate of their city, and they called together the elders of the city. ¹³ And they ran all together, both small and great, for it was strange unto them that she was come: and they opened the gate, and received them, making a fire to give light, and compassed them round about. ¹⁴ And she said to them with a loud voice, Praise God, praise him: praise God, who hath not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies by my hand this night. ¹⁵ And she took forth the head out of the bag, and shewed it, and said unto them, Behold, the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the host of Asshur, and behold, the canopy, wherein he did lie in his drunkenness; and the Lord smote him by the hand of a woman. ¹⁶ And as the Lord liveth, who preserved me in my way that I went, my countenance deceived him to his destruction, and he did not commit sin with me, to defile and shame me. ¹⁷ And all the people were exceedingly amazed, and bowed themselves, and worshipped God, and said with one accord, Blessed art thou, O our God, which hast this day brought to nought the enemies of thy people. ¹⁸ And Ozias said unto her, Blessed art thou, daughter, in the sight of the Most High God, above all the women upon the earth; and blessed is the Lord God, who created the heavens and the earth, who directed thee to the smiting of the head of the prince of our enemies. ¹⁹ For thy hope shall not depart from the heart of men that remember the strength of God for ever. ²⁰ And God turn these things to thee for a perpetual praise, to visit thee with good things, because thou didst not spare thy life by reason of the affliction of our race, but didst avenge our fall, walking a straight way before our God. And all the people said, So be it, so be it.

WEB⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ But when the evening had come, his servants hurried to depart. Bagoas shut the tent outside, and dismissed those who waited from the presence of his lord. They went away to their beds; for they were all weary, because the feast had been long. ² But Judith was left alone in the tent, with Holofernes lying along upon his bed; for he was drunk with wine. ³ Judith had said to her servant that she should stand outside her bedchamber, and wait for her to come out, as she did daily; for she said she would go out to her prayer. She spoke to Bagoas according to the same words. ⁴ All went away from her presence, and none was left in the bedchamber, small or great. Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lord God of all power, look in this hour upon the works of my hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem. ⁵ For now is the time to help your inheritance, and to do the thing that I have purposed to the destruction of the enemies which have risen up against us. ⁶ She came to the rail of the bed, which was at Holofernes’ head, and took down his scimitar from there. ⁷ She drew near to the bed, took hold of the hair of his head, and said, “Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, this day.” ⁸ She struck twice upon his neck with all her might, and took away his head from him, ⁹ tumbled his body down from the bed, and took down the canopy from the pillars. After a little while she went out, and gave Holofernes’ head to her maid; ¹⁰ and she put it in her bag of food. They both went out together to prayer, according to their custom. They passed through the camp, circled around that valley, and went up to the mountain of Bethulia, and came to its gates. ¹¹ Judith said afar off to the watchmen at the gates, “Open, open the gate, now. God is with us, even our God, to show his power yet in Israel, and his might against the enemy, as he has done even this day.” ¹² It came to pass, when the men of her city heard her voice, they made haste to go down to the gate of their city, and they called together the elders of the city. ¹³ They all ran together, both small and great, for it was strange to them that she had come. They opened the gate and received them, making a fire to give light, and surrounded them. ¹⁴ She said to them with a loud voice, “Praise God! Praise him! Praise God, who has not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but has destroyed our enemies by my hand tonight!” ¹⁵ Then she took the head out of the bag and showed it, and said to them, “Behold, the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Asshur, and behold, the canopy, in which he laid in his drunkenness. The Lord struck him by the hand of a woman. ¹⁶ And as the Lord lives, who preserved me in my way that I went, my countenance deceived him to his destruction, and he didn’t commit sin with me, to defile and shame me.” ¹⁷ All the people were exceedingly amazed, and bowed themselves, and worshiped God, and said with one accord, “Blessed are you, O our God, which have this day brought to nothing the enemies of your people.” ¹⁸ Ozias said to her, “Blessed are you, daughter, in the sight of the Most High God, above all the women upon the earth; and blessed is the Lord God, who created the heavens and the earth, who directed you to cut off the head of the prince of our enemies. ¹⁹ For your hope will not depart from the heart of men that remember the strength of God forever. ²⁰ May God turn these things to you for a perpetual praise, to visit you with good things, because you didn’t spare your life by reason of the affliction of our race, but avenged our fall, walking a straight way before our God.” And all the people said, “Amen! Amen!”

LXX2012⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Now when the evening was come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent without, and dismissed the waiters from the presence of his lord; and they went to their beds: for they were all weary, because the feast had been long. ² And Judith was left along in the tent, and Holofernes lying along upon his bed: for he was filled with wine. ³ Now Judith had commanded her maid to stand without her bedchamber, and to wait for her. coming forth, as she did daily: for she said she would go forth to her prayers, and she spoke to Bagoas according to the same purpose. ⁴ So all went forth and none was left in the bedchamber, neither little nor great. Then Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lord God of all power, look at this present upon the works of mine hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem. ⁵ For now is the time to help your inheritance, and to execute your enterprizes to the destruction of the enemies which are risen against us. ⁶ Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes' head, and took down his fauchion from thence, ⁷ And approached to his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, this day. ⁸ And she struck twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took away his head from him. ⁹ And tumbled his body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy from the pillars; and anon after she went forth, and gave Holofernes his head to her maid; ¹⁰ And she put it in her bag of meat: so they twain went together according to their custom to prayer: and when they passed the camp, they compassed the valley, and went up the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof. ¹¹ Then said Judith afar off, to the watchmen at the gate, Open, open now the gate: God, even our God, is with us, to show his power yet in Jerusalem, and his forces against the enemy, as he has even done this day. ¹² Now when the men of her city heard her voice, they made haste to go down to the gate of their city, and they called the elders of the city. ¹³ And then they ran all together, both small and great, for it was strange to them that she was come: so they opened the gate, and received them, and made a fire for a light, and stood round about them. ¹⁴ Then she said to them with a loud voice, Praise, praise God, praise God, I say, for he has not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but has destroyed our enemies by mine hands this night. ¹⁵ So she took the head out of the bag, and showed it, and said to them, behold the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Assur, and behold the canopy, wherein he did lie in his drunkenness; and the Lord has struck him by the hand of a woman. ¹⁶ As the Lord lives, who has kept me in my way that I went, my countenance has deceived him to his destruction, and yet has he not committed sin with me, to defile and shame me. ¹⁷ Then all the people were wonderfully astonished, and bowed themselves and worshipped God, and said with one accord, Blessed be you, O our God, which have this day brought to nothing the enemies of your people. ¹⁸ Then said Ozias to her, O daughter, blessed are you of the most high God above all the women upon the earth; and blessed be the Lord God, which has created the heavens and the earth, which has directed you to the cutting off of the head of the chief of our enemies. ¹⁹ For this your confidence shall not depart from the heart of men, which remember the power of God for ever. ²⁰ And God turn these things to you for a perpetual praise, to visit you in good things because you have not spared your life for the affliction of our nation, but have revenged our ruin, walking a straight way before our God. And all the people said; So be it, so be it.