1
Judith fell upon her face, and put ashes upon her head, and uncovered the sackcloth wherewith she was clothed; and about the time that the incense of that evening was offered in Jerusalem in the house of the Lord, Judith cried with a loud voice and said:
2
"O Lord God of my father Simeon, to whom Thou gavest a sword to take vengeance on the strangers who loosened the girdle of a maid to defile her, and uncovered the thigh to her shame, and polluted her virginity to her reproach; for Thou saidst, `It shall not be so,' and yet they did so.
3
Therefore Thou gavest their rulers to be slain, so that they dyed their bed with blood, being deceived, and smotest the servants with their lords, and the lords upon their thrones;
4
and hast given their wives for a prey and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils to be divided among Thy dear children, who were moved with Thy zeal, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon Thee for aid: O God, O my God, hear me also, a widow.
5
For Thou hast wrought not only those things, but also the things which happened before and which ensued after. Thou hast thought upon the things which are now, and which are to come.
6
Yea, what things Thou didst determine were ready at hand and said, `Lo, we are here'; for all Thy ways are prepared, and Thy judgments are in Thy foreknowledge.
7
For behold, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power; they are exalted with horse and man; they glory in the strength of their footmen; they trust in shield and spear, and bow and sling, and know not that Thou art the Lord that breakest the battles. The Lord is Thy name.
8
Throw down their strength in Thy power, and bring down their force in Thy wrath; for they have purposed to defile Thy sanctuary, and to pollute the tabernacle where Thy glorious name resteth and to cast down with sword the horn of Thy altar.
9
Behold their pride, and send Thy wrath upon their heads. Give into mine hand, who am a widow, the power that I have conceived.
10
Smite by the deceit of my lips the servant with the prince, and the prince with the servant; break down their stateliness by the hand of a woman.