Books Jesus Read

94

Books Jesus Read

( Gen 34 ). You handed them over to death. You gave their wives as booty and their daughters as slaves to those who love you and hate corruption. 11 “Look now upon these Assyrians, exalted in all their might with their horses and riders, and their soldiers who trust in weapons. They do not know the One who crushes war, the Lord is your name. Break their strength by your great might; lay them low in your anger; for they plan to defile your sanctuary and to pollute the tabernacle where your glorious name dwells, and to cast down the horn of your altar with their swords. Look upon all their pride and give me, a widow, strength to accomplish what I plan. Let my scheming lips slay the Commander and destroy his army. Crush their arrogance by the hand of a woman. For your power requires no armies, and your might no warriors! For you are the God of the lowly, the Helper of the oppressed, the Upholder of the weak, the Protector of the forlorn, and the Savior of those who have no hope. King of all creation, hear my prayer! Wound them with my deceitful words, because they attack your covenant and Zion, your holy house. And cause your people to know with certainty that you are God, the God of all power and might, and that there is no other who protects the people of Israel but you alone!” Judith Dresses Up When Judith had finished crying out to the God of Israel, she called her maid who helped her take off her widow’s clothing and sackcloth. Judith then took a cleansing bath and anointed herself all over with ointment. Then she combed out her hair, weaving in a braid and crowning her

11 Jdt 9:5–6 is omitted.