3
Now Judith had told her maid to stand outside the bedchamber and to wait for her to come out, as she did every day; for she said she would be going out for her prayers. And she had said the same thing to Bagoas.
4
So every one went out, and no one, either small or great, was left in the bedchamber. Then Judith, standing beside his bed, said in her heart, "O Lord God of all might, look in this hour upon the work of my hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem.
5
For now is the time to help thy inheritance, and to carry out my undertaking for the destruction of the enemies who have risen up against us."
6
She went up to the post at the end of the bed, above Holofernes' head, and took down his sword that hung there.
7
She came close to his bed and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, "Give me strength this day, O Lord God of Israel!"
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.