Judith:10

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* Now after that she had ceased to cry unto the God of Israel , and bad made an end of all these words . * 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 , * 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 . * 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 . * 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 . * 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 . * 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 . * 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 . * 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 . * 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 . * Thus they went straight forth in the valley : and the first watch of the Assyrians met her , * 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 : * 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 . * Now when the men heard her words , and beheld her countenance , they wondered greatly at her beauty , and said unto her , * 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 . * 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 . * Then they chose out of them an hundred men to accompany her and her maid ; and they brought her to the tent of Holofernes . * 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 . * 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 . * And they that lay near Holofernes went out , and all his servants and they brought her into the tent . * Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy , which was woven with purple , and gold , and emeralds , and precious stones . * So they shewed him of her ; and he came out before his tent with silver lamps going before him . * 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 .

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