Bible Verses

The Lord is truly a God who crushes war,Who encamps amid his people,for he has snatched me from the hand of those who pursued me.

The Song of Judith Judith said: “Sing a song to my God with tambourines,sing in honor of God with cymbals.Compose for him a psalm of praise.Exalt and bless his name!

Then Judith sang this hymn of thanksgiving, and the entire people of Israel echoed the praise.

She and the women with her made crowns of olive leaves. Then she went ahead of the people, leading the women in dance. All the Israelite men followed, dressed in their armor, carrying crowns, and loudly singing hymns.

All the Israelite women also rushed out to see her, and they blessed her. A few of them formed a choir in her honor. She held olive branches in her hand and handed some to the women who accompanied her.

All the people raided the camp for thirty days. They gave Holofernes’ tent to Judith, along with all his silver, beds, drinking vessels, and furniture. She took them, and after harnessing her mule, she prepared her chariots and loaded all these goods onto them.

You alone have accomplished all this. You have accomplished great things for Israel, and God has blessed you with the fruits of your labor. May the almighty Lord bless you forever.” And all the people said, “Amen!”

As soon as they approached her, they all blessed her and said:“You are Jerusalem’s pride and joy, Israel’s glory, and our people’s honor.

Thanksgiving Then, the high priest Joakim and the council of Israel’s elders in Jerusalem came to hear the good things the Lord had done for Israel, and to see Judith and offer her congratulations.

Once they returned from the carnage, the Israelite men possessed what was left. Also, the people from the villages and farms in the mountains and on the plains seized great loot because there was plenty they could get.