14
And it came to pass, when the men had heard her voice, that they called the ancients of the city.
15
And all ran to meet her from the least to the greatest: for they now had no hopes that she would come.
16
And lighting up lights they all gathered round about her: and she went up to a higher place, and commanded silence to be made. And when all had held their peace,
17
Judith said: Praise ye the Lord our God, who hath not forsaken them that hope in him.
18
And by me his handmaid he hath fulfilled his mercy, which he promised to the house of Israel: and he hath killed the enemy of his people by my hand this night.
19
Then she brought forth the head of Holofernes out of the wallet, and shewed it them, saying: Behold the head of Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, and behold his canopy, wherein he lay in his drunkenness, where the Lord our God slew him by the hand of a woman.
20
But as the same Lord liveth, his angel hath been my keeper both going hence, and abiding there, and returning from thence hither: and the Lord hath not suffered me his handmaid to be defiled, but hath brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for his victory, for my escape, and for your deliverance.
21
Give all of you glory to him, because he is good, because his mercy endureth for ever.
22
And they all adored the Lord, and said to her: The Lord hath blessed thee by his power, because by thee he hath brought our enemies to nought.
23
And Ozias the prince of the people of Israel, said to her: Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth.
24
Blessed be the Lord who made heaven and earth, who hath directed thee to the cutting off the head of the prince of our enemies.