Judith 8

It happened that these things were heard by Judith, a widow, who was the daughter of Merari, son of Idox, son of Joseph, son of Uzziah, son of Elai, son of Jamnor, son of Gideon, son of Raphaim, son of Achitob, son of Melchiah, son of Enan, son of Nathaniah, son of Salathiel, son of Simeon, son of Reuben.

Her husband was Manasseh, who had died in the days of the barley harvest.

For he was overseeing those binding sheaves in the field, and the heat struck his head, and he died in Bethulia, his city, and was buried there with his fathers.

Now Judith his widow had been in her widowhood for three years and six months.

In the upper part of her house she had made a private chamber for herself, where she remained enclosed with her maidservants.

She wore sackcloth upon her loins and fasted every day of her life, except on sabbaths, new moons, and the feasts of the house of Israel.

She was exceedingly beautiful in appearance, and her husband had left her great wealth, an abundant household, and estates full of herds of cattle and flocks of sheep.

She was most renowned among all people, because she feared the Lord greatly, and there was no one who spoke an evil word against her.

When she heard that Uzziah had promised to surrender the city after the fifth day, she sent for the elders Chabris and Charmi.

They came to her, and she said to them: What is this word to which Uzziah has consented — that he would hand over the city to the Assyrians if no help comes within five days?

And who are you to put the Lord to the test?

This is not the kind of word that draws down mercy, but rather one that provokes wrath and kindles fury.

You have set a time limit on the Lord's compassion and appointed a day for him according to your own judgment.

But because the Lord is patient, let us repent of this very thing, and with tears streaming, let us beg his forgiveness.

For God is not moved as a man is moved, nor kindled to anger as a son of man is.

Therefore let us humble our souls before him, and in a spirit of lowliness, let us serve him.

Let us say to the Lord, weeping, that according to his own will he may show us his mercy — so that as our heart has been troubled by their arrogance, so we may glory in our lowliness.

For we have not followed the sins of our fathers who forsook their God and worshipped foreign gods.

For that crime they were given over to the sword, to plunder, and to disgrace before their enemies. But we know no other God besides him.

Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and he will require our blood from the afflictions our enemies bring, and he will humble every nation that rises against us, and the Lord our God will make them without honor.

And now, brothers — since you are elders among the people of God, and their soul hangs upon you, and by your words their hearts are lifted up — remind them that our fathers were tested so that it might be proved whether they truly worshipped their God.

They should remember how our father Abraham was tested, and through many tribulations was proved, and was made a friend of God.

So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all who pleased God — they passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful.

But those who did not accept their trials with the fear of the Lord, and who brought forth their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord —

They were destroyed by the destroyer and perished by serpents.

Therefore let us not avenge ourselves for what we suffer.

But reckoning these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these chastisements of the Lord have come upon us for our correction, not our destruction — as upon servants who are disciplined.

Uzziah said to her: Everything you have spoken is true, and there is no one who can contradict your words.

For it is not only today that your wisdom has been made manifest, but from the beginning of your days all the people have recognized your prudence, for the disposition of your heart is good.

But because the people were parched with thirst, they compelled us to do as we told them, and bound us by an oath that we cannot break.

Now therefore pray for us, for you are a holy woman who fears God.

Judith said to them: As you recognize that what I have been able to speak is from God,

So test what I intend to do, whether it is from God, and pray that God may make firm my plan.

You shall stand at the gate this night, and I will go out with my maidservant. Pray that, as you have said, within five days the Lord may look upon his people Israel.

But I desire that you not inquire into my action, and until I bring you word, let nothing else be done except prayer for me to the Lord our God.

Uzziah, the prince of Judah, said to her: Go in peace, and may the Lord be with you for the avenging of our enemies. And they turned and departed.