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be merry with us and be made this day as one of the daughters of the Assyrians, which serve in the
house of Nabuchodonosor.
14
Then said Judith unto him, Who am I now, that I should gainsay my lord? surely whatsoever
pleaseth him I will do speedily, and it shall be my joy unto the day of my death.
15
So she arose, and decked herself with her apparel and all her woman's attire, and her maid
went and laid soft skins on the ground for her over against Holofernes, which she had received of
Bagoas far her daily use, that she might sit and eat upon them.
16
Now when Judith came in and sat down, Holofernes his heart was ravished with her, and his
mind was moved, and he desired greatly her company; for he waited a time to deceive her, from
the day that he had seen her.
17
Then said Holofernes unto her, Drink now, and be merry with us.
18
So Judith said, I will drink now, my lord, because my life is magnified in me this day more
than all the days since I was born.
19
Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared.
20
And Holofernes took great delight in her, and drank more wine than he had drunk at any time
in one day since he was born.
CHAPTER 13
Now when the evening was come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent
without, and dismissed the waiters from the presence of his lord; and they went to their beds: for
they were all weary, because the feast had been long.
2
And Judith was left along in the tent, and Holofernes lying along upon his bed: for he was
filled with wine.
3
Now Judith had commanded her maid to stand without her bedchamber, and to wait for her.
coming forth, as she did daily: for she said she would go forth to her prayers, and she spake to
Bagoas according to the same purpose.
4
So all went forth and none was left in the bedchamber, neither little nor great. Then Judith,
standing by his bed, said in her heart, O Lord God of all power, look at this present upon the works
of mine hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem.
5
For now is the time to help thine inheritance, and to execute thine enterprizes to the destruction
of the enemies which are risen against us.
6
Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes' head, and took down his
fauchion from thence,
7
And approached to his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O
Lord God of Israel, this day.
8
And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took away his head from him.
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