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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.
CHAPTER 12
Then he commanded to bring her in where his plate was set; and bade that they should prepare for
her of his own meats, and that she should drink of his own wine.
2
And Judith said, I will not eat thereof, lest there be an offence: but provision shall be made for
me of the things that I have brought.
3
Then Holofernes said unto her, If thy provision should fail, how should we give thee the like?
for there be none with us of thy nation.
4
Then said Judith unto him As thy soul liveth, my lord, thine handmaid shall not spend those
things that I have, before the Lord work by mine hand the things that he hath determined.
5
Then the servants of Holofernes brought her into the tent, and she slept till midnight, and she
arose when it was toward the morning watch,
6
And sent to Holofernes, saving, Let my lord now command that thine handmaid may go forth
unto prayer.
7
Then Holofernes commanded his guard that they should not stay her: thus she abode in the
camp three days, and went out in the night into the valley of Bethulia, and washed herself in a
fountain of water by the camp.
8
And when she came out, she besought the Lord God of Israel to direct her way to the raising
up of the children of her people.
9
So she came in clean, and remained in the tent, until she did eat her meat at evening.
10
And in the fourth day Holofernes made a feast to his own servants only, and called none of
the officers to the banquet.
11
Then said he to Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that he had, Go now, and persuade
this Hebrew woman which is with thee, that she come unto us, and eat and drink with us.
12
For, lo, it will be a shame for our person, if we shall let such a woman go, not having had her
company; for if we draw her not unto us, she will laugh us to scorn.
13
Then went Bagoas from the presence of Holofernes, and came to her, and he said, Let not
this fair damsel fear to come to my lord, and to be honoured in his presence, and drink wine, and
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