Books Jesus Read

Chapter 4: Uncompromising Standards – Judith

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glory with jeweled netting. The maid helped Judith into an azure gown she herself had sewn. They added sandals with leg strapping and ankle bracelets; rings, wrists bangles, ear and noise piercings. When they had finished, Judith was transformed into a vision that no man could resist. Then she handed her maid a skin of fine wine, a flask of oil, a bag of parched grain and a cake of dried fruit. These her maid packed along with a supply of kosher food they would need for their mission. When they arrived at the city gate of Bethulia they found Uzziah. The elders gazed at Judith, astonished at the sight of her great beauty. “May the God of our fathers grant you favor and fulfill all your plans,” Uzziah declared, “so that the people of Israel may glory and Jerusalem may be exalted.” “Amen,” said Judith, “it’s time to set my plan in motion!” Some of the young men standing by opened the city gate to let Judith and her maid pass through. Judith covered her face with a veil and began the long trek down the hill toward the enemy camp. The elders followed Judith with their eyes until she was long out of sight. When at last Judith and her maid encountered the Assyrian patrol, they were taken captive without a struggle. The captain of the Assyrian patrol was a sneering man, fascinated with his catch. “Who are you?” he demanded, “and what are you doing out here?” “I am a daughter of the Hebrews,” said Judith, “but I ran away because I knew that you were going to conquer them.”