الإصحَاحُ
الْحَادِي عَشَرَ

Chapter 11

 

11:1
Then said Holofernes unto her, Woman, be of good comfort, fear not in thine
heart: for I never hurt any that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor, the king
of all the earth. 2 Now therefore, if thy people that dwelleth in the mountains
had not set light by me, I would not have lifted up my spear against them: but
they have done these things to themselves. 3 But now tell me wherefore thou art
fled from them, and art come unto us: for thou art come for safeguard; be of
good comfort, thou shalt live this night, and hereafter: 4 For none shall hurt
thee, but entreat thee well, as they do the servants of king Nabuchodonosor my
lord.

 

5
Then Judith said unto him, Receive the words of thy servant, and suffer thine
handmaid to speak in thy presence, and I will declare no lie to my lord this
night. 6 And if thou wilt follow the words of thine handmaid, God will bring
the thing perfectly to pass by thee; and my lord shall not fail of his
purposes.

 

7
As Nabuchodonosor king of all the earth liveth, and as his power liveth, who
hath sent thee for the upholding of every living thing: for not only men shall
serve him by thee, but also the beasts of the field, and the cattle, and the
fowls of the air, shall live by thy power under Nabuchodonosor and all his
house. 8 For we have heard of thy wisdom and thy policies, and it is reported
in all the earth, that thou only art excellent in all the kingdom, and mighty
in knowledge, and wonderful in feats of war.

 

9
Now as concerning the matter, which Achior did speak in thy council, we have
heard his words; for the men of Bethulia saved him, and he declared unto them
all that he had spoken unto thee. 10 Therefore, O lord and governor, reject not
his word; but lay it up in thine heart, for it is true: for our nation shall
not be punished, neither can sword prevail against them, except they sin
against their God.

 

11
And now, that my lord be not defeated and frustrate of his purpose, even death
is now fallen upon them, and their sin hath overtaken them, wherewith they will
provoke their God to anger whensoever they shall do that which is not fit to be
done: 12 For their victuals fail them, and all their water is scant, and they
have determined to lay hands upon their cattle, and purposed to consume all
those things, that God hath forbidden them to eat by his laws: 13 And are
resolved to spend the firstfruits of the the tenths of wine and oil, which they
had sanctified, and reserved for the priests that serve in Jerusalem before the
face of our God; the which things it is not lawful for any of the people so
much as to touch with their hands. 14 For they have sent some to Jerusalem,
because they also that dwell there have done the like, to bring them a licence
from the senate. 15 Now when they shall bring them word, they will forthwith do
it, and they shall be given to thee to be destroyed the same day.

 

16
Wherefore I thine handmaid, knowing all this, am fled from their presence; and
God hath sent me to work things with thee, whereat all the earth shall be
astonished, and whosoever shall hear it. 17 For thy servant is religious, and
serveth the God of heaven day and night: now therefore, my lord, I will remain
with thee, and thy servant will go out by night into the valley, and I will
pray unto God, and he will tell me when they have committed their sins: 18 And
I will come and shew it unto thee: then thou shalt go forth with all thine
army, and there shall be none of them that shall resist thee. 19 And I will
lead thee through the midst of Judea, until thou come before Jerusalem; and I
will set thy throne in the midst thereof; and thou shalt drive them as sheep
that have no shepherd, and a dog shall not so much as open his mouth at thee:
for these things were told me according to my foreknowledge, and they were
declared unto me, and I am sent to tell thee.

 

20
Then her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants; and they marvelled at
her wisdom, and said, 21 There is not such a woman from one end of the earth to
the other, both for beauty of face, and wisdom of words. 22 Likewise Holofernes
said unto her. God hath done well to send thee before the people, that strength
might be in our hands and destruction upon them that lightly regard my lord. 23
And now thou art both beautiful in thy countenance, and witty in thy words:
surely if thou do as thou hast spoken thy God shall be my God, and thou shalt
dwell in the house of king Nabuchodonosor, and shalt be renowned through the
whole earth.