10
then she sent her waiting woman, who had the government of all things that she had, to call Uzziah and Chabris and Charmis, the elders of the city.
11
And they came unto her, and she said unto them: "Hear me now, O ye governors of the inhabitants of Bethulia. For your words that you have spoken before the people this day are not right concerning this oath which ye made and pronounced between God and you, and have promised to deliver the city to our enemies unless within these days the Lord turn to help you.
12
And now who are you that have tempted God this day, and stand in the stead of God among the children of men?
13
And now try the Lord Almighty, but you shall never know any thing.
14
For you cannot find the depth of the heart of man, neither can ye perceive the things that he thinketh. Then how can you search out God, who hath made all these things, and know His mind or comprehend His purpose? Nay, my brethren, provoke not the Lord our God to anger!
15
For if He will not help us within these few days, He hath power to defend us when He will, even every day, or to destroy us before our enemies.
16
Do not bind the counsels of the Lord our God; for God is not as man, that He may be threatened; neither is He as the son of man, that He should be wavering.
17
"Therefore let us wait for salvation from Him, and call upon Him to help us, and He will hear our voice if it please Him.
18
For there arose none in our age, neither is there any now in these days, neither tribe, nor family, nor people, nor city among us, which worship gods made with hands, as hath been in former time.
19
For that cause our fathers were given to the sword and for a spoil, and had a great fall before our enemies.
20
But we know no other god; therefore we trust that He will not despise us nor any of our nation.