The Wise and Courageous Woman The news of what had happened came to Judith, daughter of Merari, grandson of Ox, great-grandson of Joseph, of Oziel, of Elkiah, of Ananias, of Gideon, of Raphain, of Ahitub, of Elijah, of Hilkiah, of Eliab, of Nathanael, of Salamiel, of Sarasadai, son of Simeon, of Israel.
Then he dismissed the men, each to his post, and they headed toward the ramparts and town towers, while he sent the women and children back to their homes. Now, a great depression had swept through the town.
Then Uzziah said to them: “Have confidence, my brothers; hold on for five more days, during which the Lord our God will show us his mercy, for he will not abandon us forever.
Altogether, they raised a great lamentation among the assembly and cried out loudly to the Lord God.
We implore you by heaven and earth, and by our God, the Lord of our ancestors, who punishes us according to our sins and the sins of our fathers: make this decision today.
It’s better for us to become their spoil, for then we will become slaves. Still, at least we will live and not have to see our women, our older children, and the little ones die before our eyes.
Now no one can help us; God has handed us over to these pagans so that we lie dying before them from extreme thirst and suffering.
“May God judge between you and us, for you are the cause of this misfortune by not engaging in peaceful negotiations with the Assyrians.
