5
And she made a tent upon the top of her house, and put on sackcloth upon her loins and wore her widow's apparel.
6
And she fasted all the days of her widowhood, save the eves of the Sabbath and the Sabbaths, and the eves of the new moons and the new moons, and the feasts and solemn days of the house of Israel.
7
She was also of a goodly countenance, and very beautiful to behold. And her husband Manasseh had left her gold and silver, and menservants and maidservants, and cattle and lands; and she remained upon them.
8
And there was none who gave her an ill word, for she feared God greatly.
9
Now when she heard the evil words of the people against the governor, that they fainted for lack of water (for Judith had heard all the words that Uzziah had spoken unto them, and that he had sworn to deliver the city unto the Assyrians after five days),
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.