8
Because she had been given to seven husbands, and a devil named Asmodeus had killed them, at their first going in unto her.
9
So when she reproved the maid for her fault, she answered her, saying: May we never see son, or daughter of thee upon the earth, thou murderer of thy husbands.
10
Wilt thou kill me also, as thou hast already killed seven husbands? At these words she went into an upper chamber of her house: and for three days and three nights did neither eat nor drink:
11
But continuing in prayer with tears besought God, that he would deliver her from this reproach.
12
And it came to pass on the third day, when she was making an end of her prayer, blessing the Lord,
13
She said: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers: who when thou hast been angry, wilt shew mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee.
14
To thee, O Lord, I turn my face, to thee I direct my eyes.
15
I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth.
16
Thou knowest, O Lord, that I never coveted a husband, and have kept my soul clean from all lust.
17
Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness.
18
But a husband I consented to take, with thy fear, not with my lust.