Books Jesus Read

104

Books Jesus Read

to defile and shame me, but with my face alone did I deceive and destroy the Great Commander!” “O daughter blessed by God Most High above all women on earth,” declared Uzziah, “he has guided your hand in striking the head of the leader of our enemies! Your hope will never depart from the hearts of men, as they remember the power of God. May God grant you perpetual honor, and may he visit you with blessings, because you did not spare your own life when our nation was brought low. But you avenged our ruin, walking in the straight path before our God.” And all the people replied, “Amen, amen!” Then Judith counseled the people, “Listen to me, my brothers: hang the head of Holofernes on the gate, and when morning comes, let every warrior arm himself and run toward the enemy camp, ready for attack. When the Assyrians see it, they will sound the battle alarm and run to awaken their Commander, only they will not be able to awaken him! Fear will overtake them and they will flee before you, and all Israel shall pursue and cut them down! “Before you do all this,” said Judith, “call Achior the Ammonite. Let him see for himself the man who despised the house of Israel and sent him to his death!” When Achior saw and realize what had happened, he fell at Judith’s feet and cried out, “Blessed are you in every tent of Judah! Let all the nations that hear your name be astonished.” 13

13 The conclusion of the book of Judith is abridged here.