Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

Judith

16 chapters

Chapters

Judith 1

Now Arphaxad king of the Medes had brought many nations under his dominions, and he built a very strong city, which he called Ecbatana,

In the thirteenth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, the two and twentieth day of the first month, the word was given out in the house of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians, that he would revenge himself.

Judith 3

Then the kings and the princes of all the cities and provinces, of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Syria Sobal, and Libya, and Cilicia sent their ambassadors, who coming to Holofernes, said:

Judith 4

Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him.

Judith 5

And it was told Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, that the children of Israel prepared themselves to resist, and had shut up the ways of the mountains.

Judith 6

And it came to pass when they had left off speaking, that Holofernes being in a violent passion, said to Achior:

Judith 7

But Holofernes on the next day gave orders to his army, to go up against Bethulia.

Judith 8

Now it came to pass, when Judith a widow had heard these words, who was the daughter of Merari, the son of Idox, the son of Joseph, the son of Ozias, the son of Elai, the son of Jamnor, the son of Gedeon, the son of Raphaim, the son of Achitob, the son of Melehias, the son of Enan, the son of Nathanias, the son of Salathiel, the son of Simeon, the son of Ruben:

Judith 9

And when they were gone, Judith went into her oratory: and putting on haircloth, laid ashes on her head: and falling down prostrate before the Lord, she cried to the Lord, saying:

Judith 10

And it came to pass, when she had ceased to cry to the Lord, that she rose from the place wherein she lay prostrate before the Lord.

Judith 11

Then Holofernes said to her: Be of good comfort, and fear not in thy heart: for I have never hurt a man that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor the king.

Judith 12

Then he ordered that she should go in where his treasures were laid up, and bade her tarry there, and he appointed what should be given her from his own table.

Judith 13

And when it was grown late, his servants made haste to their lodgings, and Vagao shut the chamber doors, and went his way.

Judith 14

And Judith said to all the people: Hear me, my brethren, hang ye up this head upon our walls.

Judith 15

And when all the army heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fled from them, and being seized with trembling and fear they thought only to save themselves by flight:

Judith 16

Then Judith sung this canticle to the Lord, saying: