Judith

Judith Before Holofernes

When Judith had finished her prayer to the God of Israel,

she rose from the ground, and called her maidservant, she went down into the house where she usually spent the Sabbath days and the festivals.

She removed the sackcloth and her widow’s clothes that she was wearing. She washed her entire body with water, anointed herself with rich perfume, combed her hair, and put a jeweled band around it. Then she dressed in the beautiful garments she was used to wearing when her husband, Manasseh, was alive.

She put on her sandals, anklets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and all her jewelry. She made herself look stunning to attract the attention of the men who would see her.

She gave the servant a skin of wine and a jar of oil; she filled a bag with barley flour and some small cakes made from dried figs and refined flour. She wrapped everything up and put the maid in charge.

Then they headed toward the gate of Bethulia, where they found Uzziah, the elders of the town, Chabris, and Charmis stationed.

As soon as the men saw her, her face changed, and her clothes looked so different; they marveled at her beauty. They said to her:

“May the God of our fathers grant that you find favor and that your endeavors succeed for the glory of the sons of Israel and the exaltation of Jerusalem.”She adored God and said to them:

“Command that the gate of the town be opened for me, and I will go forth to accomplish what you have just said.” They ordered the young men to open the gate as she had asked.

They carried out the command, and Judith went out with her maidservant.The townsmen watched her until she reached the foot of the mountain and crossed the valley, then they lost sight of her.

Judith and the maid walked straight through the valley, and a sentry for the Assyrians came to meet them.

He stopped them and asked: “Who are you? Where have you come from? Where are you going?” She replied: “I am a daughter of the Hebrews; I am fleeing far from them because they are about to surrender themselves to be plundered by you.

I have come to present myself to Holofernes, the general-in-chief of your army, to speak to him honestly. I will show him how to advance and take control of the entire mountain without losing a single man, neither through injury nor death.”

As soon as the men had heard her words and noticed her face (for she was strikingly beautiful), they said to her:

“You have saved your life by hurrying to appear before our lord. Approach his tent; some of us will go with you until they have safely handed you over into his care.

When you stand before him, do not fear in your heart, but tell him what you need to say, and he will treat you well.”

They selected one hundred men from their group; these men went with Judith and the maid and guided them to Holofernes’s tent.

In the entire camp, news of her arrival spread from tent to tent, and men began to run toward her. They gathered around her as she waited outside Holofernes’ tent, while someone went to inform him of her presence.

They were captivated by her beauty and, upon seeing her, praised the sons of Israel and exchanged comments among themselves: “Who can look down on the people who have such women? It would be a mistake to leave one man alive; they would be able to deceive the whole world.”

Those sleeping near Holofernes and all his officers came out and led her into the tent.

Holofernes was lying on his bed under purple and gold hangings adorned with emeralds and precious stones.

After being informed about her, he moved toward the tent’s entrance, with silver lamps carried in front of him.

When Judith approached him and his officers, they all admired her beautiful face. She bowed face down to the ground, then the servants of Holofernes helped her up.