2
Judith's husband Manasseh, who belonged to the same tribe and clan, had died during the barley harvest.
3
He had suffered a sunstroke while in the fields supervising the farm workers and later died in bed at home in Bethulia. He was buried in the family tomb in the field between Dothan and Balamon.
4
For three years and four months, Judith had lived as a widow.
5
In her grief she built a little shelter on the roof of her house and lived there, wearing sackcloth.
6
She fasted during that entire period except when fasting was forbidden: the day before the Sabbath and the Sabbath itself, the eve of the New Moon Festival and the Festival itself, and all the festivals and holidays observed by the people of Israel.
7
Judith was a very beautiful woman. Her husband had left her gold and silver, servants and slaves, livestock and fields. She continued to supervise the estate,
8
and no one ever said anything bad about Judith. She was a very religious woman.
9
Judith heard how the people were complaining bitterly against Uzziah, now that the water shortage had broken their morale. She learned that in answer to their complaints he had promised to surrender the town to the Assyrians after five days.
10
Judith sent a slave, the woman who managed her business affairs, to invite Uzziah, Chabris, and Charmis, the town officials, to her home.
11
When the officials arrived, Judith said to them, "Please listen to me. You are the leaders of the people of Bethulia, but you were wrong to speak to the people as you did today. You should not have made a solemn promise before God that you would surrender the town to our enemies if the Lord did not come to our aid within a few days.
12
What right do you have to put God to the test as you have done today? Who are you to put yourselves in God's place in dealing with human affairs?