1
Now when the evening had come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent outside, 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 alone in the tent with Holofernes lying along upon his bed, for he was filled with wine.
3
Now Judith had commanded her maid to stand outside 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 spoke to Bagoas according to the same purpose.
4
So all went forth and none were 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 time upon the works of mine hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem.
5
For now is the time to help Thine inheritance and to execute mine enterprises, to the destruction of the enemies who have risen against us."
6
Then she came to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes' head, and took down his sword 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,
9
and tumbled his body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy from the pillars; and immediately after, she went forth and gave Holofernes' head to her maid,
10
and she put it in her bag for meat. So the two went together, according to their custom, unto prayer; and when they passed the camp, they compassed the valley and went up the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof.