10:1
And it came to pass, when she had ceased crying out to the Elohim of Yisra’el, and had completed all these words,
10:2
that she arose from where she had fallen, called her maidservant, and went down into the house where she remained on the days of Shabbat and on her appointed days.
10:3
And she removed the sackcloth which she had been wearing, and took off the garments of her widowhood. And she washed her body with water, anointed herself with precious oil, arranged the hair of her head, and placed a headband upon it. And she put on the garments of her gladness, with which she had been clothed during the life of Menasheh her husband.
10:4
And she put sandals upon her feet, and put on her bracelets, and her chains, and her rings, and her earrings, and all her ornaments. And she made herself exceedingly beautiful to deceive the eyes of all the ish who might see her.
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And she gave to her maidservant a skin of wine, and a jar of oil, and filled a bag with roasted grain, and cakes of figs, and clean bread. And she wrapped all her vessels and placed them upon her.
10:6
Then they went to the gate of the city of Beit-Uluyah and found Uzziah standing there, and the elders of the city— Chavri and Karmi.
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And when they saw her, and her face was changed, and her clothing was changed, they wondered greatly at her beauty and said to her:
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“May the Elohim of our fathers give you favor, and complete your purposes for the exaltation of the sons of Yisra’el and for the lifting up of Yerushalayim.” And she bowed herself to Elohim.
10:9
Then she said to them: “Command that the gate of the city be opened for me, and I shall go out to complete the words which you have spoken with me.” And they commanded the young men to open for her just as she had said.
10:10
And they did so. And Yehudit went out, she and her maidservant with her. And the men of the city watched her until she went down the mountain and passed through the valley, and they could see her no more.
10:11
And they went straight through the valley, and the advance guard of the Ashshurim met her.
10:12
And they seized her and questioned her: “Of what people are you? And from where are you coming? And where are you going?” And she said: “I am a daughter of the Ivrim, and I am fleeing from them, because they are about to be given to you for consumption.
10:13
And I am going before Holofernes, the chief captain of your army, to declare to him words of truth, and I shall show him the way by which he may go and possess all the hill country without one ish of his men losing either body or life.”
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And when the men heard her words and looked upon her face, her beauty was exceedingly wondrous in their eyes. And they said to her:
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“You have saved your being by hastening to come down before the face of our master. Therefore now, go to his tent, and some of us shall escort you until they deliver you into his hands.
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And when you stand before him, do not fear in your heart, but declare to him according to your words, and he shall deal well with you.”
10:17
And they chose from among themselves one hundred ish and appointed them to accompany her and her maidservant, and they brought them to the tent of Holofernes.
10:18
And there was a gathering throughout all the camp, for the report of her coming had spread among the tents. And they came and surrounded her as she stood outside the tent of Holofernes, until they reported concerning her to him.
10:19
And they marveled at her beauty, and because of her they marveled at the sons of Yisra’el. And each ish said to his companion: “Who would despise this people, who have among them such women? Surely it is not good that even one ish of them should remain, for those who are left could deceive the whole earth.”
10:20
Then those who slept near Holofernes and all his servants went out, and they brought her into the tent.
10:21
And Holofernes was resting upon his bed beneath a canopy woven with purple, and gold, and emeralds, and precious stones.
10:22
And they reported concerning her to him, and he came out to the front of his tent, and silver lamps were being carried before him.
10:23
And when Yehudit came before him and his servants, they all marveled at the beauty of her face. And she fell upon her face and bowed herself before him. And his servants raised her up.