The. holie. Bible. conteynyng the olde Testament and the newe.

❧The booke of Iudith.

The first Chapter.

2 The buylding of Ecbatanis. 5 Nabuchodonosor made warre against Arphaxad and ouercame him. 12 He treateneth them that woulde not helpe him.

[unspec A] 1 ARphaxad the king of the Medes sub∣dued many people vnto his domini∣on, and buylded a noble strong citie, whiche he called Ecbatanis.

2 The walles of it made he of free stone foure square, se∣uentie cubites hie, and thirtie cubites brode: He made towres therevpon an hundreth cubites hye.

3 But along the foure corners euery side was twentie foote brode: He made the portes in the height, like as the towres.

4 [This king] trusted in his mightie hoast, and in his glorious charets.

5 So in the twelfth yere of his raigne, it happened that Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians whiche raigned in the great citie of Niniue, fought against Arphaxad:

6 And ouercame him in the great fielde called Ragau beside Euphrates, and Tigris, and Iadason in the fielde of E∣rioth the king of the Elikes.

7 Then was the kingdome of Nabucho∣donosor [unspec B] exalted, and his heart was lift vp: and he sent vnto all them that dwelt in Cilicia, in Damascus, and Libanus:

8 And vnto the heathen that dwelt in Carmel, and Cedar, and to such as dwelt in Galilee in the great field of Esdrelon:

9 To all them that dwelt in Samaria, and beyonde the water of Iordane vn∣to Hierusalem, and the whole lande of Iesse, vnto the borders of Ethiopia:

10 Vnto all these dyd Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians send messen∣gers.

11 But they all with one consent woulde not agree vnto him, and sent the messen∣gers againe emptie, and put them away without honour.

12 Then Nabuchodonosor the king toke indignation at all those landes, & sware by his trone and by his kingdome that he woulde be auenged of all those coun∣treys.

The .ii. Chapter.

1 Nabuchodonosor commaunded presumpteously that al people should be brought in subiection, and to destroy those that disobeyed him, •• The preparation of Holo∣phernes armie. 12 The conquest of his enemies.

[unspec A] 1 IN the thirtenth yere of king Nabuchodono∣sor, vpon the twentie & two day of the firste moneth, it was deuised in the court of Nabu∣chodonosor the king of the Assyrians that he woulde reuenge him selfe.

2 So he called vnto him all the elders, all his captaynes and men of warre, and shewed them his secret counsell,

3 And told them that his purpose was to bring the whole earth vnder his domi∣nion.

4 Now when they were all content with this saying, Nabuchodonosor the king called Holophernes the chiefe captayne of his warres,

5 And sayde vnto him: Go thy way foorth against all the kingdomes of the west, and specially against those that haue de∣spised my commaundement.

6 Thou shalt spare no realme, all strong cities shalt thou bring in subiection vnto me.

[unspec B] 7 Then Holophernes called together all the captaynes & rulers of all the power in Assyria, and mustred the souldiers vnto the hoast like as the king com∣maunded him [namely] an hundred and twentie thousande fighting men vpon foote, and twelue thousande archers vpon horsebacke.

8 All his ordinaunce sent he before with an innumerable multitude of camels, so that the hoast was well prouided for with oxen and small cattell, & that with∣out number.

9 He appoynted to prepare corne out of all Syria in his passage.

10 Much gold an siluer also toke he out of the kinges house.

11 So he toke his iourney and all his hoast, with charets, horsemen, and ar∣chers: of whom there were so many that they couered the ground of the land like the grashoppers.

12 And when he was gone past the bor∣ders of the Assyrians, he came towarde the great mountaynes of Ange, whiche lye vpon the left side of Cilicia: and so he went vp into all their castels, and wunne euery strong holde.

13 As for the welthie citie of Melothus, he brake it downe, & spoyled all the children of Tharsis and the Ismaelites, whiche lay towarde the wildernesse and vpon the south side of the lande of Chellon.

14 He went ouer Euphrates also, & came [unspec C] into Mesopotamia, and brake downe all the hie cities that were there, from the brooke of Mambre till a man come to the sea:

15 And he toke the borders in from Cilicia vnto the coastes of Iaphet towarde the south.

16 He caryed away all the Madianites, and spoyled al their goods, and whosoe∣uer withstoode him he slue them with the sworde.

17 After this, he went downe into the fielde of Damascus in the time of har∣uest, and burnt vp all the corne, and all the trees and vines he caused to be cut downe:

18 And the feare of him fel vpon all them that dwelt on the earth.

The .iii. Chapter.

1 The people subiect to Holophernes. 12 He destroyed their gods that Nabuchodono∣sor might onely be worshipped.

[unspec A] 1 SO the kinges & princes of al the cities & landes sent their embassa∣dours, namely they of Syria and Mesopota∣mia, Syria Sobal, and Libya, and Cilicia, which came to Holophernes, and sayde:

2 Let thy wrath ceasse towarde vs: It is better for vs to serue the great king Nabuchodonosor with our liues, and to be subiect vnto thee, then that we should dye, and with our slaughter suffer the euyls of our bondage.

3 All our cities and possessions, al moun∣taynes and hilles, all fieldes, great and smal cattel, sheepe, goates, horses, and ca¦mels, all our goodes and housholdes be in thy power.

4 Vnder thy subiection be al that we haue.

5 We our selues and also our children wilbe thy seruauntes.

6 Come vnto vs peaceable lorde, and vse our seruice at thy pleasure.

7 Then came Holophernes downe from [unspec B] the mountaynes with horsemen & great power, and conquered all strong fensed cities, and all that dwelt in the lande.

8 And out of all cities he toke strong men and such as were meete for the warre [to helpe hym.]

9 And there came such a feare vpon those countreys, that the indwellers of al the cities, the princes and rulers, and the people together, went foorth to meete hym as he came:

10 And receaued him [honorably] with gar∣landes and torches, with daunces, ta∣prettes, and pipes.

11 Neuerthelesse though they dyd this, yet might they not swage his rigorous stomacke.

12 But he destroyed their cities, and hew∣ed downe their wooddes.

13 For Nabuchodonosor the king had com∣maunded him that he should roote out all the gods of the “ 1.1 lande, to the intent that he only might be called [and taken] for god of the nations, which Holopher∣nes with his power might bring vnder him.

14 So went he through Syria Sobal, and [unspec C] through all Appamea, and all Mesopo∣tamia, and came to the Idumeans in the lande of Gabaa,

15 And toke their cities, and remayned there thirtie dayes, in whiche space he caused all the whole multitude of his hoast to be gathered together.

The .iiii. Chapter.

1 The Israelites were afrayde and defended their countrey. 5 Eliacim the priest wry∣teth to Bethulia, that they shoulde fortifie them selues. 8 They cried to the Lorde, and humbled them selues before hym.

[unspec A] 1 WHen the children of Is∣rael that dwelt in Iurie heard this, they were sore afrayde of him.

2 There came such trembling also & feare vpon them, lest he shoulde do vnto the citie of Hierusalem and the temple of the Lord, as he had done to other cities and their temples.

3 So they sent into all Samaria rounde about vnto Iericho, [toke in] and occupi∣ed all the toppes of the mountaynes:

4 And made fast the townes with walles, and prepared corne for them against the battayle.

5 Eliacim also the priest wrote vnto all them that dwelt towarde Esdrelon, which lieth ouer against the great fielde by Dothain, & vnto all those by whom men might haue passage vnto them,

6 That they shoulde take in the wayes of the mountaynes, whereby there might be any way and passage to Hieru∣salem, and that they shoulde holde dili∣gent watch where any strayte was be∣twixte the mountaynes.

[unspec B] 7 And the children of Israel dyd as E∣liacim the priest of the Lorde had com∣maunded them.

8 And all the people cryed vnto the Lord earnestly, and humbled their soules with fasting and prayers, they & their wiues:

9 The priestes put on heery clothes, and layed the young babes before the temple of the Lord, and couered the aul∣ter of the Lorde with an heery cloth:

10 And with one accorde they cryed vnto the Lorde God of Israel, that their chil∣dren should not be geuen into a pray, and their wiues into a spoyle, that their ci∣ties should not be layed waste, and that their “ 1.2 sanctuarie shoulde not be vnha∣lowed, and so they to be a shame and re∣buke vnto the heathen.

11 Then Eliacim the hye priest of the Lord, went rounde about al Israel, and spake vnto them,

12 Saying: Be ye sure that the Lord will heare your petitions, if ye continue sted∣fast in fastinges and prayers in the sight of the Lorde.

13 Remember Moyses the seruaunt of the Lorde, which ouerthrewe the Amale∣chites that trusted in their might and power, in their hoast, in their shieldes, in their charets and horsemen, not with weapons, but with holy prayers.

14 Euen so shall all the enemies of Israel [unspec C] be, if ye continue in this worke that ye haue begun.

15 So vpon this exhortation they con∣tinued in prayer before the Lorde.

16 In so much that they whiche offered burnt sacrifices vnto the Lord, offred the offringes vnto the Lorde, beyng arayed in heery clothes, and had asshes vpon their heades.

17 And they all besought God from their whole heart, that he woulde visite his people of Israel.

The .v. Chapter.

1 Achior the Ammonite doeth declare to Holophernes of the maner of the Israelites.

[unspec A] 1 AND worde came to Holophernes y^e prince of the warre of the As∣syrians, that the chil∣dren of Israel prepa∣red them selues to make resistaunce, and howe they had stopped the wayes be∣twixte the mountaynes.

2 Then was he exceeding wroth, and cal∣led all the princes of Moab, and the cap∣taynes of Ammon,

3 And sayde vnto them: Tell me what people is this that kepeth in the moun∣taynes? Or what maner and how great cities theirs are? What is their power? Or what maner of hoast haue they? who is their captayne?

4 And why do they despise vs more then all those that dwell in the east, and come not foorth to meete vs, that they might receaue vs with peace?

[unspec B] 5 Then Achior the captayne of al the Am∣monites aunswered, and sayde: Syr, if it please thee to heare, I will tell the trueth before thee concerning this people that dwel in the mountaynes, and there shall no vntrueth go out of my mouth.

6 This people is of the generation of the Chaldees:

7 They dwelt first in Mesopotamia, for they woulde not folowe the gods of their fathers that were in the lande of the Chaldees,

8 And so forsoke they the custome of their forefathers which had many gods, and worshipped one God that made heauen and earth: * 1.3 whiche also commaunded them that they shoulde go from thence and dwell at Charan.

9 Nowe when there came a dearth into the whole lande, they went downe to Egypt, and there they dwelt * 1.4 foure hun∣dreth yeres, in the whiche they multi∣plied greatly, that their hoast might not be numbred.

10 And when the king of Egypt oppres∣sed them, and yoked them in buylding of his cities with making of clay and brycke, they cryed vnto God their Lord which punished the whole lande of E∣gypt with diuers plagues.

11 And when the Egyptians had cast them out & the plague ceassed from them, and they folowing after them to take them & to bring them againe into their bondage:

12 Whyle they were flying away the God of heauen opened the sea, so that the wa∣ters stoode fast vpon both the sides as a wall, and these went through the bo∣tome of the sea drye shod.

13 In the whiche place when an innume∣rable people of the Egyptians folowed vpon them, they were so ouerwhelmed with the waters, that there remayned not one to tell them that came after how it happened.

14 So when this people was passed [unspec C] through the red sea, they came into the wildernesse of mount Sina, where ne∣uer man might dwell afore, and where the sonne of man had neuer rested.

15 There were the bitter waters made sweete for them that they might drinke, and fourtie yeres had they meate from heauen.

16 Whersouer they went, without bow and arrow, without buckler or sworde, their God fought for them, and caused them to haue the victorie.

17 Yea, no man was able to hurt this peo∣ple, except it were when they departed vnfaythfully from the worshipping of the Lorde their God.

18 But as ofte as they worshipped any o∣ther beside their God, he gaue them o∣uer to be spoyled, to be slayne, and to be put to confusion.

19 Neuerthelesse, as ofte as they were sory for their departing from the wor∣shippe

of their God: the same God of heauen gaue them power & strength to withstande [their enemies.]

20 * 1.5Moreouer, they slue the king of the Chanaanites, Iebusites, Pherezites, Hethites, Heuites, and Amorites, and al the mightie in Hesebon, and toke their landes and cities in possession:

[unspec D] 21 And so long as they sinned not in the sight of their God, it went well with them: For their God hateth vnrighte∣ousnesse.

22 * 1.6For in times past when they went out of the way which God had geuen them that they shoulde walke in it, they were destroyed in diuers battaylles of many nations, and many of them were caried away prisoners vnto a strange countrey.

23 * 1.7But now lately they haue turned them selues agayne vnto the Lord their God, and are come together agayne out of the countreys where they were scattred a∣brode: and thus haue they conquered these mountaynes, and dwel therin: and as for Hierusalem where their sanctua∣rie is, they haue it againe in possession.

24 And therfore my Lord, make diligent inquisition, if this people haue done wickednesse in the sight of their God, then let vs go vp against them: for doubtlesse their God shall deliuer them into thy handes, and subdue them vnto thy power.

25 But if this people haue not displeased their God, we shall not be able to with∣stande them: for their God shall defende them, and so shall we be a shame to all the worlde.

26 Nowe when Achior had spoken out these wordes, all the great men of Holo∣phernes were wroth, and thought to slay him, and sayde one to another:

27 What is he this whiche dare say that the children of Israel are able to with∣stande Nabuchodonosor the king and his hoastes? where as they are an vn∣weaponed people, without strength or vnderstanding of the feates of warre?

28 That Achior therfore may know that he hath deceaued vs, we will go vp into [unspec E] the mountaynes: and when the mightie men of them are taken, he with them shall be stickte with the sworde:

29 That all the people may knowe that Nabuchodonosor is the God of the earth, and that there is none other be∣side him.

The .vi. Chapter.

1 Holophernes blasphemeth God, whom Achior confessed. 14 Achior is deliuered into the handes of them of Bethulia. 18 The Bethulians crye vnto the Lorde.

[unspec A] 1 SO when they had left of speaking, Holopher∣nes toke sore indigna∣tion, and sayde vnto Achior:

2 For so much as thou hast prophesied vnto vs, saying, That the people of Israel shalbe defended of their God: I will shew thee that there is no God but Nabuchodonosor,

3 Yea, when we slay them al as one man, thou also shalt perishe with them through the sword of the Assyrians, and all Israel shalbe destroyed with thee:

4 And then shalt thou feele that Nabu∣chodonosor is the lorde of the whole earth: then shal the sword of my knight∣hood go through thy sides, & thou shalt fall downe stickte among the wounded of Israel, and * 1.8 shalt not come to thy selfe agayne, but be vtterly destroyed with them.

5 Furthermore, if thou thinkest thy prophesie to be true, why doest thou then chaunge thy colour? why art thou afrayde? Thinkest thou that my wordes are not able to be perfourmed?

6 But that thou mayest knowe that thou shalt feele these thinges with them, beholde from this houre foorth will I send thee vnto yonder people, that when the punishement of my sworde (whiche they haue worthyly deserued) falleth vpon them, thou mayest be punished with them.

7 So Holophernes commaunded his ser∣uauntes [unspec B] to take Achior, & to cary him vn∣to Bethulia, and to deliuer him into the handes of the children of Israel.

8 Then Holophernes seruauntes toke

him, and went through the playne field: But when they drewe nye vnto the mountaynes, the slyng casters came out against them.

9 Neuerthelesse they gat them away by the side of the mountayne, and bounde Achior hande and foote to a tree, and so left him bounde with withes, and tur∣ned againe vnto their lorde.

10 After that, the children of Israel went downe from Bethulia, came vnto hym, loosed him, brought him into Bethulia, set him in the middest of the people, and asked him what the matter was that the Assyrians had left him bounde?

11 Osias the sonne of Micha of the tribe of Simeon, and Charmi which is also cal∣led Gothoniel, were the principal rulers at the same time.

12 Nowe when Achior stoode in the mid∣dest of the senatours, and before them al, he tolde them what aunswere he gaue Holophernes to the thing that he asked him, & how Holophernes people would haue slayne him for so saying:

13 And howe Holophernes him selfe was wroth, and commaunded him for the same cause to be deliuered vnto the Is∣raelites: that when he ouercame the children of Israel, he might commaunde Achior also to be put to death with di∣uers tormentes, because he sayde, The God of heauen is their defender.

[unspec C] 14 And when Achior had playnly told out al these thinges, all the people fel downe vpon their faces, praysing the Lord, and powred out their prayers together vnto the Lorde, with a generall complaynt and weeping,

15 And sayde: O Lord God of heauen and of earth, beholde their pryde, and loke vpon our lowlinesse, and consider howe it standeth with thy sayntes, and make it to be knowen that thou forsakest not those which holde them fast by thee: and howe that thou bringest them low that presume of themselues, and make their boast in their owne strength.

16 So when the weeping and prayer of the people (whiche they had made the whole day long) was ended, they com∣forted Achior,

17 Saying: The God of our fathers, whose power and strength thou hast praysed, shall so rewarde thee, that thou shalt rather see their destruction.

18 When the Lorde our God then shall geue his seruauntes this libertie, God be also with thee among vs: so that as it shall please thee, so thou with all thyne mayst dwell with vs.

19 Now when Osias had ended the coun∣sel, he toke him into his house, and made a great supper,

20 Called the elders to it: and so they re∣freshed them selues after the fasting.

21 And afterward was al the people called together, whiche made their prayers all [unspec D] the night long “ 1.9 in the congregation, and besought the God of Israel for helpe.

The .vii. Chapter.

1 Holophernes doeth besiege Bethulia. 8 The counsell of the Idumeans, and other against the Israelites. 23 The Bethulians murmure against the gouernours for lacke of water.

[unspec A] 1 THe next day Holopher∣nes commaunded his hoast to go vp against Bethulia.

2 There were an hun∣dred and twentie thou∣sande fighting men on foote, and two and twentie thousande horsemen, beside the preparing of them that were wunne, and came to them on euery side out of the countreys and ci∣ties which he had taken.

3 All these prepared them selues vnto the battayl against the Israelites, and came on by the hil side, vnto the top that loketh ouer against Dothain, from the place which is called Belma, vnto Chelmon that lyeth towarde Esdrelon.

4 Nowe when the children of Israel sawe so great multitude of the Assy∣rians, they fell downe flat vpon the grounde, strawed asshes vpon their heades, and prayed with one accorde that the God of Israel woulde shewe his mercie vpon his people.

5 And so they toke their weapons, and sat betwixte the mountaynes in the narow place, and kept the way day and night.

6 But whyle Holophernes was goyng

rounde about, he founde the water spring, whiche from the south side was conueyed into the citie be a conduite, and he commaunded their conduite to be cut in sunder.

7 There were welles also not farre from [unspec B] the walles, whiche they vsed secretely, more for pleasure then for necessitie.

* 1.108 Then went the Ammonites and the Moabites vnto Holophernes, and sayd: The children of Israel trust neither in speare nor arrow, but haue taken in and kepe the mountaynes, and steepe hilles defende them.

9 That thou mayest ouercome them ther∣fore without the striking of any battayl, set men to kepe the welles that they drawe no water out of them, so shalt thou destroy them without sworde, or at the least they shall be so feeble that they must be fayne to geue ouer the citie, which they thinke not able to be wunne for so much as it lyeth in the moun∣taynes.

10 These wordes pleased Holophernes wel and all his men of warre, and he set an hundreth at euery well round about.

11 And when this watch had endured twentie dayes, the cesternes and all that had water fayled them that dwelt in the citie of Bethulia, so that in the whole citie they had not drincke inough for one day, for the people had water geuen them dayly in a measure.

12 Then came the men and women, young persons and children, al vnto Osias, and sayd al with one voyce:

13 God be iudge betwixt vs and thee, for thou hast dealt euyll with vs: thou wouldest not speake peaceably with the king of the Assyrians, therefore hath God solde vs into their handes.

14 And there is no man to helpe vs, wher∣as [unspec C] we are brought downe before their eyes in thirst and great destruction.

15 Therefore gather now together all the people that be in the citie, that we may all yeelde our selues wyllyngly vnto the people of Holophernes.

16 For better it is that we be captiue and prayse the Lorde with our liues, then to be slayne & perishe, and to be laugh∣ed to scorne and shamed of euery man when we see our wiues and children die before our eyes.

17 We take heauen and earth this day to record, & the God of our fathers, whiche punisheth vs according to [the deseruing of] our sinnes [and geue you warning,] that ye geue vp the citie nowe into the power of Holophernes hoast, that our end may be short with the sworde, which els shal endure long for want of water and for thirst.

18 When they had spoken out these wordes, there was a great weeping and howling in the whole congregation [and that of euery man,] and they cryed “ 1.11 a whole houre long vnto God with one voyce,

19 Saying: We haue sinned with our fa∣thers, we haue done a misse, we haue dealt wickedly.

20 Thou that art gratious haue mercie vpon vs, or punishe our vnrighteousnes with thyne owne scourge, and geue not those ouer that knowledge thee, vnto a people which knowe thee not:

21 That they may not say among the hea∣then, Where is their God? [unspec D]

22 And when they were so weery with this crying and weeping that they helde their peace,

23 Osias stoode vp with watry eyes, and sayde: O take good heartes vnto you deare brethren [and be of good cheare,] and let vs wayte yet these fiue dayes for mercie of the Lorde:

24 Peraduenture he shal put away his in∣dignation, & geue glorie vnto his name.

25 But if he helpe vs not when the fiue dayes are past, we shall do as ye haue sayde.

The .viii. Chapter.

1 The parentage, life, and conuersation of Iudith. 11 She rebuketh the fayntnesse of the gouernours. 12 She sheweth that they shoulde not tempt God, but wayte vpon him for succour. 33 Her enterprise against the enemies.

[unspec A] 1 ANd it happened, when these wordes came to the eares of Iudith a widdowe, which was the daughter of Mera∣ri, the sonne of Idox, the sonne of Ioseph, the sonne of Osia, the sonne of Elai, the sonne of Iamnor, the sonne of Gedeon, the sonne of Raphaim, the sonne of A∣chitob, the sonne of Melchia, the sonne of Enan, the sonne of Nathania, the sonne of Salathiel, the sonne of Simeon, the sonne of Ruben:

2 And her husband was called Manasses, whiche dyed in the dayes of the barlye haruest.

3 For whyle he was binding the sheaues together in the fielde, the heate came vpon his head, and he died at Bethulia his citie, and there was he buried beside his fathers.

4 Nowe was Iudith his desolate wyd∣dowe three yeres, and sixe monethes.

5 And in the higher partes of her house she made her selfe a priuie chamber, where she dwelt, beyng closed in with her may∣dens.

6 She ware a smocke of heere, and fasted al the dayes of her life, except the Sab∣bathes, and newe moones, and the so∣lempne dayes that the people of Is∣rael kept.

[unspec B] 7 She was a very faire and beautiful per∣son, her husbande also had left her great riches, a plenteous houshold, great vnmoueable possessions, & many cattell.

8 This Iudith was a woman of a very good report with euery one, for she fea∣red the Lord greatly: and there was no body that spake an euyll worde of her.

9 When this Iudith hearde how Osias had promised the people that after the fift day he woulde geue vp the citie vnto the Assyrians, she sent for the elders, Chabri and Charmi.

10 And when they came to her, she sayde: What thing is this wherin Osias hath consented, that if God helpe not within fiue dayes he will geue ouer the citie to the Assyrians?

11 What are ye, that ye tempt the Lorde?

12 This deuice obtayneth no mercie of God: but prouoketh hym vnto wrath and displeasure.

13 Will ye set the mercie of the Lorde a time, and appoynt him a day after your will?

14 Neuerthelesse, for so much as the Lord [unspec C] is pacient, let vs rather repent in this, powring out teares, and beseching hym of grace.

15 For God threatneth not as a man, neither will he be prouoked vnto wrath as the children of men.

16 And therfore let vs heartyly fal downe before him, and serue hym with a meeke spirite,

17 And with weeping eyes say vnto the Lorde, that he deale with vs according to his owne wil speedyly in mercie: that like as our heart is nowe vexed and brought low through the pride of them, it “ 1.12 may so be comforted through his grace:

18 In so much as we folowe not the sinnes of our fathers, which forsoke their God and worshipped other gods:

19 For the which sinne they perished with the sword, were spoyled, and brought to shame of al their enemies: As for vs, we knowe none other God but only hym.

20 For whose comfort let vs tary with meekenesse, and he shall require & make inquisition for our blood from the vex∣ations of our enemies: he shall bring downe all the heathen that rise vp a∣gainst vs, and put them to dishonour, euen the Lord our God.

21 Therefore deare brethren, seyng ye are [unspec D] the [honorable and] elders in the people of God, and their lyfe hangeth all vpon you, lift vp their heartes with your ex∣hortation, that they may call to remem∣braunce howe our fathers also in times past were tempted, that they might be proued if they worshipped their God a right.

22 They ought to remember, howe * 1.13 our father Abraham beyng tempted,* 1.14 & tryed through many tribulations, was found a louer and friende of God.

23 So was Isahac, so was Iacob, so was Moyses: and all they that pleased God, passed stedfast in faith through many folde troubles.

24 Againe, they that receaued not their temptations with the feare of God, but put them selues foorth with vnpatiencie and murmuring against God,

[unspec E] 25 Perished of the destroyer, and were slaine of serpentes.

26 And therefore shoulde not we vnder∣take to be auenged for the thinges that are done vnto vs:

27 But to consider that all these punish∣mentes are farre lesse then our sinnes and misdeedes, and beleeuing that this correction commeth vnto vs as to the seruauntes of God, for amendement, and not for our destruction.

28 Then saide Osias and the elders vnto Iudith: All that thou speakest is true, and no man can reproue thy wordes.

29 Pray thou for vs now therefore [vnto God,] for thou art an holy woman, and fearest God.

30 And Iudith saide vnto them: Seing ye know that my wordes are of God,

31 Then proue my counsell and deuice if it be of God: and beseche God that he [unspec F] wyll bryng my counsell to good ende.

32 [Thus haue I deuised] Ye shall stande this night before the porte, and I wyll go foorth with Abra my mayden: and pray ye therefore vnto God, that he wyll graciously remember his people of Is∣rael within fiue dayes, as ye haue saide.

33 As for the thing that I go in hande withall, aske ye no questions of it: and tyll I bring you word againe of it, do ye nothing els but pray vnto the Lorde our God for me.

34 Then Osias the prince of the people of Iuda, saide vnto her: Go thy way in peace, the Lorde be with thee, that we may be auenged of our enemies. And so they went from her againe.

¶The .ix. Chapter.

1 Iudith humbleth her selfe before the Lorde, and maketh her prayers for the dely∣ueraunce of her people. 7 Against the pryde of the Assyrians, 11 God is the helpe of the humble.

[unspec A] 1 NOw when they were * 1.15 gone their way, Iudith went into her closet, put on a heery smocke, strawed ashes vpon her head, fell downe be∣fore the Lorde, and cry∣ed vnto him, saying:

2 O Lorde God of my father* 1.16 Simeon, which gauest him a sword for * 1.17 a defence against the enemies that vsed violence in their vncleannesse, and that rauished the virgin, [and] put her to shame and confusion:

3 Thou that gauest their wyues into a pray, and their daughters into captiui∣tie, and all their pray for a spoyle vnto thy seruauntes which bare a zeale vnto thee: helpe me wydowe, O Lorde my God I beseche thee.

4 For thou hast made the first thinges: and after that, looke what thou hast ta∣ken in hande and deuised, it came euer to passe.

5 For all thy wayes are prepared, and thy iudgementes are put in thy euerla∣sting foreknowledge.

6 O looke now vpon the * 1.18 armies of the Assyrians, lyke as it was thy pleasure sometime to looke vpon the hoast of the Egyptians, when they being weaponed persecuted thy seruauntes, and put their trust in their charettes, horsemen, and in the multitude of their men of warre.

7 But thou lookedst vpon their hoast, [unspec B] casting a thicke darkenesse before them.

8 And when they came into the deepe, the waters ouerwhelmed them.

9 Euen so Lord, let it go with these that trust in the power & multitude of their men of warre, in their charets, arrowes, and speares:

10 And know not that thou onely art our God which destroyest warres from the beginning, “ 1.19 and that thou art the Lord.

11 O lyft vp thyne arme [now] lyke as e∣uer from the beginning, and in thy pow∣er bryng their power to naught: cause their might to fall in thy wrath, which make their boast that they wyll vnhal∣lowe and defile thy sanctuarie, and to waste the tabernacle of thy name, and to cast downe the horne of thyne aulter with their sword.

12 Bryng to passe O Lord,* 1.20 that the pryde of the enemie may be cut downe with

his owne sword.

[unspec C] 13 That he may be taken with the snare of his eyes in me, and that thou mayest smyte him with the lyppes of my loue.

14 O geue me a stedfast mynde, that I may despyse him and his strength, and that I may destroy him.

15 This shall bryng thy name an euer∣lasting remembraunce, " if the hande of a woman ouerthrowe him.

16 For thy power O Lord standeth not in the multitude [of men] neither hast thou any pleasure in the strength of horses, neither was there from the beginning any proude persons that pleased thee: but in the prayer of the humble & meeke hath thy pleasure ben euermore.

17 O thou God of the heauens, thou ma∣ker of the waters, and Lorde of all crea∣tures, heare me poore woman calling vpon thee and putting my trust in thy mercy.

18 Remember thy couenaunt O Lorde, and minister wordes in my mouth, and stablishe this deuice in my heart, that thy house may continue still in holynes:

19 And that all the heathen may knowe [unspec D] that thou art God, & that there is none other but thou.

¶The .x. Chapter.

1 Iudith decketh her selfe and goeth foorth of the citie. 11 She is taken of the watch of the Assyrians and brought to Holophernes.

[unspec A] 1 AND when she had left of crying vnto the lord, she rose vp from the place where she had ly∣en flat before the Lord,

2 And called her may∣den Abra, went downe into her house, layed the heery cloth from her, put of the garmentes of her wydowhood,

3 Washed her body, annoynted her selfe with precious thinges of sweete sauour, broyded and platted her heere, set a coyffe vpon her head, and put on such apparell as belongeth vnto gladnesse, slippers vpon her feete, bracelettes, spanges, earynges, fynger rynges, and decked her selfe with all her best aray.

4 The Lorde gaue her also a speciall beautie and fairenesse: for all this dec∣king of her selfe was not done for any voluptuousnesse, but of a ryght discreti∣on and vertue, therefore did the Lorde encrease her beautie, so that she was exceeding amiable and welfauoured in all mens eyes.

5 She gaue her mayden Abra also a bot∣tell of wine, a pot with oyle, pottage, cake bread and cheese; & went her way.

6 Nowe when they came to the porte of the citie, they founde Osias and the el∣ders of the citie wayting there:

[unspec B] 7 Which when they sawe her, they were astonied, and marueyled greatly at her beautie.

8 Neuerthelesse, they asked no question at her, but let her go, saying: The God of our fathers geue thee grace, and with his power perfourme all the de∣uice of thy heart, that Hierusalem may reioyce ouer thee, and that thy name may be in the number of the holy & righ∣teous.

9 And all they that were there, saide with one voyce, So be it, so be it.

10 Iudith made her prayer vnto the Lorde, and went out at the porte, she and her mayde Abra.

11 And as she was going downe the mountayne, it happened that about the spryng of the day the spyes of the Assy∣rians met with her, and tooke her, say∣ing: whence commest thou? or whyther goest thou?

12 She aunswered: I am a daughter of the Hebrues, and am fled from them: for I knowe that they shalbe geuen vnto you to be spoyled, because they thought scorne to yeelde them selues vnto you that they myght finde mercie in your sight.

13 Therefore haue I deuised by my selfe after this maner: I wyll go before [unspec C] the prince Holophernes and tell him all their secretes, and wyll shewe him how he may come by them, and winne them: so that not one man of his hoast shall pe∣rishe.

14 And when these men had heard her wordes, and considered her faire face, they were astonied (for they wondred at her excellent beautie)

15 And saide vnto her; Thou hast saued thy lyf•• by findinge out this deuice, that

thou wouldest come downe to our lorde.

16 And be thou sure that when thou com∣mest vnto him, he shall entreate thee well, and thou shalt please him at the heart. So they brought her in to Holo∣phernes pauilion, and tolde him of her.

17 Nowe when she came in before him, immediately he was ouercome and ta∣ken with her beautie.

18 Then said his seruauntes: who would despise the people of the Iewes that haue so faire women? should we not by reason fight against them for these?

19 So when Iudith sawe Holophernes [unspec D] sitting in a canapie that was wrought of purple silke, golde, smaragde, and precious stones,

20 She looked fast vpon him, bowed her selfe, and fel downe vpon the earth: And Holophernes seruauntes tooke her vp agayne at their lordes commaunde∣ment.

The .xj. Chapter.

1 Holophernes comforteth Iudith, 3 and asketh the cause of her comming. 5 She deceaueth him by her faire wordes.

1 THen said Holophernes [unspec A] vnto her, Be of good cheare, and feare not in thyne heart: for I neuer hurt man that would serue Nabu∣chodonosor the king.

2 As for thy people, if they had not des∣pysed me, I should not haue lyft vp my speare against them.

3 But tell me nowe what is the cause that thou art departed from them, and wherefore art thou come vnto vs?

4 And Iudith saide vnto him, Syr, vn∣derstand the wordes of thy handemay∣den: for if thou wylt do after the wordes of thy handmayden, the Lorde shall bryng thy matter to a prosperous effect.

5 As Nabuchodonosor the king of the earth lyueth, and as his power liueth which is in thee to the punishment of all men that go wrong, al men shal not one∣ly be subdued vnto him through thee, but al the beastes also of the fielde.

6 For all people speake of thy prudent actiuitie, and it hath euer ben reported how thou onely art good and mightie in all his kingdome, and thy * 1.21 discretion is commended in all landes.

7 The thing is manifest also that Achi∣or [unspec B] spake, & it is well knowen what thou commaundest to do vnto him.

8 For this is playne and of a suretie, that our God is so wroth with vs by the rea∣son of our sinnes, that he hath shewed by his prophetes vnto the people, howe that for their sinnes he wyll delyuer them ouer [vnto the enemie.]

9 And for so much as the children of Is∣rael knowe that they haue so displeased their God, they are sore afrayde of thee.

10 They suffer great hunger also, and for want of water they are dead now in a maner.

11 Moreouer, they are appoynted to slay all their cattaile, that they may drinke the blood of them:

12 And are purposed to spend the holy thinges of their God which he hath for∣bydden them to touch, [as] of corne, wine, and oyle, & they wil consume those thinges which they ought not to touch with their handes: Seing nowe that they do these thinges, it is a playne case that they must needes be destroyed. [unspec C]

13 Which when I thy handmayden per∣ceaued, I fled from them: and the Lord hath sent me to shewe thee these thinges.

14 For I thy handmayden worship God euen here now besyde thee, and thy handmayden shal go foorth, and I wyl make my prayer vnto God:

15 And he shall tell me when he wyll re∣warde them their sinne, then shall I come and shewe thee, and bring thee through the middest of Hierusalem, so that thou shalt haue al the people of Is∣rael as sheepe without a shephearde, & there shall not so much as one dogge barke against thee.

16 For these thinges are shewed me by the prouidence of God.

17 And for so much as God is displeased with them, he hath sent me to tell thee the same.

18 These wordes pleased Holophernes, and all his seruauntes: which maruey∣led at the wysedome of her, and said one to another:

19 There is not such a woman vpō earth, in fauour, in beautie, and discretion of wordes.

20 And Holophernes said vnto her: God hath done well that he hath sent thee hither before thy people, that thou mayest geue them into our handes.

21 And for so much as thy promise is good, if thy God perfourme it vnto me, he shalbe my God also, and thou shalt be excellent and great in the court of Na∣buchodonosor, and thy name shalbe spoken of in all the lande.

¶The .xii. Chapter.

1 Iudith woulde not pollute her selfe with the meate of the Gentiles. 5 She ma∣keth her request that she might go out by night to pray. 11 Holophernes causeth her to come to the banquet.

[unspec A] 1 THen commaunded he her to go in where his treasure lay, and char∣ged that she shoulde haue her dwellyng there, and appoynted what shoulde be geuen her from his table.

2 Iudith aunswered him, and saide: As for the meate that thou hast commaun∣ded to geue me, I may not eate of it as now, lest I displease my God: but wyll eate of such as I haue brought with me.

3 Then saide Holophernes vnto her: If these thinges that thou hast brought with thee fayle, what shall we do vnto thee?

4 And Iudith saide: As thy soule ly∣ueth my Lorde, thy handmayden shall not spend all this, tyl God hath brought to passe in my hande the thinges that I haue deuised. So his seruauntes brought her into the tent whereas he had appoynted.

5 And as she was going in, she desired that she might haue leaue to go foorth by night and before day to her prayer, and to make intercession vnto the Lord.

6 Then commaunded Holophernes his chamberlaynes, that she should go out and in at her pleasure, to pray vnto God those three dayes.

[unspec B] 7 And so in the night season she went foorth into the valley of Bethulia, and washed her selfe in the well water.

8 And comming vp, she besought the Lorde God of Israel that he woulde prosper her way for the deliueraunce of his people.

9 And so she went in, & remayned cleane in her tent, tyll she toke her meate in the euening.

10 Vpon the fourth day it came to passe that Holophernes made a supper vnto his seruauntes, and saide vnto Vagao his chamberlayne: Go thy way, & coun∣sell this Hebruesse, that she may be wyl∣ling to consent to kepe company with me:

11 For it were a shame vnto all the Assy∣rians, that a woman shoulde so laugh a man to scorne, that she were come from him vnmedled withall.

12 Then went Vagao vnto Iudith, and saide: Let not the good daughter be a∣frayde to come in to my lorde, that she may be honoured before him, that she may eate and drinke wine and be mery with him.

13 Vnto whom Iudith aunswered: Who [unspec C] am I, that I shoulde say my lorde nay?

14 Whatsoeuer is good and best before his eyes, I shal do it: and looke what is his pleasure, that shall I thinke well done as long as I lyue.

15 So she stoode vp, and deckt her selfe with her apparell, and went in & stoode before him.

16 And Holophernes heart was whole moued: for he brent in desire towarde her.

17 And Holophernes saide vnto her: Drinke nowe and sit downe & be mery, for thou hast founde fauour before me.

18 Then saide Iudith: Syr, I wyll drinke, for my minde is meryer to day then euer it was in all my lyfe.

16 And she toke, and did eate, and dranke [unspec D] before him, the thinges that her may∣den had prepared for her.

20 And Holophernes was mery with her, and dranke more wine then euer he did afore in his lyfe.

¶The .xiii. Chapter.

7 Iudith prayeth for strength. 10 She smyteth of Holophernes head. 12 She returneth to Bethulia, and reioyceth her people.

[illustration]

[unspec A] 1 NOw when it was late in the night, his ser∣uauntes made haste e∣uery man to his lod∣ging: And Vagao shut the chamber doores, & went his way:

2 * 1.22For they were al ouerladen with wine.

3 So was Iudith alone in the chamber.

4 As for Holophernes he lay vpon the bed [all drunken] and of very druncken∣nesse fell asleepe.

5 Then commaunded Iudith her may∣den to stande without before the doore and to wayte.

6 And Iudith stoode before the bed, making her prayer with teares, & mo∣ued her lyppes secretly,

[unspec B] 7 And saide: Strengthen me O Lorde God of Israel, and haue respect vnto the workes of myne handes in this houre, that thou mayest set vp thy citie of Hierusalem lyke as thou hast promy∣sed: And graunt that I may perfourme the thing, which in hope that it may be done by thee, I haue deuised.

8 And when she had spokē this, she went to the piller that was at Holopher∣nes beddes head, and loosed his sword that hanged vpon it, and drewe it out:

9 And when she had taken it out of the scabberd, she tooke holde of the heery lockes of his head, and sayde: Streng∣then me O Lorde God in this houre.

10 And with that she gaue him two strokes vpon the necke, & * 1.23smote of his head: Then tooke she the canapie away from the pillers, and roulled the dead body asyde.

11 Immediatly she gat her foorth, and deliuered the head of Holophernes vn∣to her mayden, and bad her put it in her wallet.

12 And so these two went foorth toge∣ther after their custome, as though they would pray: and so passed by the hoast, and came about through the valley vn∣to the porte of the citie.

13 And Iudith cryed a farre of vnto the [unspec C] watchmen vpon the walles: Open the gates [saide she] for God is with vs which hath shewed his power in Is∣rael.

14 And when they heard her voyce, they called the elders of the citie [together.]

15 And they came all to meete her, litle & great, young & olde: for they thought not that she should haue come so soone.

16 So they lighted candels, and gathered about her euery one: but she went vp in∣to

an high place, and caused scilence to be proclaymed.

17 And when euery man now held his peace, Iudith saide: O prayse the Lord our God, for he hath not despised nor forsaken them that put their trust in him:

18 And in me his handmayden he hath perfourmed his mercy, which he promi∣sed vnto the house of Israel: Yea, in my hand this same night hath he slaine the enemie of his people.

[unspec D] 19 And with that she tooke foorth the head of Holophernes out of the wallet, and shewed it them, saying: Behold the head of Holophernes the captayne of the armie of the Assyrians, and this is his canapie wherin he lay in his drun∣kennes, where the Lord our God hath slaine him by the hande of a woman.

20 But as the Lorde liueth, his angell hath kept me going thither, remayning there, and comming hither againe from thence: And the Lorde hath not suffred me his handmayden to be defiled, but without any defiling of sinne hath he brought me againe vnto you: and that with great victorie, so that I am esca∣ped, and ye deliuered.

21 O geue thankes vnto him euery one, for he is gratious, and his mercy endu∣reth for euer.

22 So they praysed the Lorde altoge∣ther [and gaue thankes vnto him,] and to her they saide: The Lorde hath blessed thee in his power, for through thee he hath brought our enemies to naught.

23 And Osias the chiefe ruler of the peo∣ple of Israel saide vnto her: Blessed art thou of the Lorde the high God, aboue all women vpon earth.

24 Blessed be the Lorde the maker of heauen and earth, which hath guided thee aright to wounde and to smyte of the head of the captayne of our ene∣mies.

25 For this day he hath made thy name so honorable, that thy prayse shall neuer come out of the mouth of men which shal alway remember the power of the Lord, seeing thou hast not spared thyne owne selfe [but put thee in ieopardie] consi∣dering the anguishe and trouble of thy people: and so hast helped their fall be∣fore God our Lorde.

26 And all the people said, Amen, Amen.

27 Achior also was called, and he came: [unspec C] Then said Iudith vnto him, The God of Israel, vnto whom thou gauest wit∣nesse that he would be auenged of his e∣nemies, euen he hath this night through my hande smitten of the head of all the vnfaithfull.

28 And that thou mayst see that it so is, behold this is the head of Holophernes, which in his presumptuous pride despi∣sed the God of the people of Israel, and threatened thee with destruction, say∣ing, When the people of Israel is taken, I shall cause thee also to be stickt with the sword.

29 When Achior saw Holophernes head, he fell downe vpon his face to the grounde for very anguishe and feare, so that he sowned withall.

30 But after that he was come againe to him selfe, he fell downe before her, and praysed her, saying:

31 Blessed art thou of thy God in all the tabernacles of Iacob: for all the people that heare of thy name, shall prayse the God of Israel, because of thee.

The .xiiij. Chapter.

1 Iudith causeth to hang vp the head of Holophernes. 6 Achior ioyneth him selfe to the people of God. 7 The Israelites go out against the Assyrians.

[unspec A] 1 IVdith saide vnto al the people, Brethren heare me:* 1.24 Sticke vp this head vpon our walles,

2 And when the sunne aryseth, take euery man his weapon, and fall out violently: not as though ye would go beside them, but to runne vp∣on them with violence.

3 When the spies see this, they shall of necessitie be compelled to flee back∣ward, and to rayse vp their captayne to the battaile.

4 So when their captaynes come into Holophernes pauilion, and finde the dead body wrapped in the blood, feare fulnesse shall fall vpon them:

5 And when ye perceaue that they flee, folowe them without all care, for God shall * 1.25 delyuer them vnto you to be de∣stroyed.

6 Then Achior seing the power of God which he had shewed vnto the people of Israel, fell of from his heathenishe be¦liefe, and put his trust in God, and let him selfe be circumcized, and so was he numbred among the people of Israel, he and all his posteritie vnto this day.

[unspec B] 7 Now assoone as it was day, they stickt vp Holophernes head vpon the walles, and euery man tooke his weapon, and so they went out with an horrible crye.

8 When the spies saw that, they ranne vnto Holophernes tent.

9 And they that were within the tent, came before his chamber and made a great russhing by art, that Holophernes might awake, not by stirring him vp, but by their noyse.

10 For there durst not one of the Assyri∣ans knocke, go in, or open.

11 But when the captaynes and princes and all the chiefe in the king of the Assy∣rians hoast came together, they said vn∣to the chamberlaynes:

12 Go your way in, and wake him vp: for the myce are crept out of their holes, and dare prouoke vs vnto battayle.

13 Then went Vagao into his cham¦ber, [unspec C] stoode before the * 1.26 bed, and clapped with his handes: for he thought he had ben sleeping with Iudith.

14 But when he hearkened perfectly with his eares, and coulde perceaue no stirring, he went nyer to the * 1.27 bed and lift it vp, and when he sawe the dead bo∣dy of Holophernes lying there without a head weltred in his blood vpon the earth, he cryed with a loude voyce, and with weeping rent his clothes,

15 And went into Iudiths tent, and founde her not.

16 And so he lept out vnto the people, and saide: One woman of the Iewes, hath brought al Nabuchodonosors people to shame: For lo, Holophernes lyeth vpon the grounde and hath no head.

17 When the chiefe of the Assyrians hoast heard that, they rent their clothes, and there fell an intollerable feare and trem∣blyng vpon them: so that their mindes were sore afrayd.

18 And there was an exceeding great crye in “ 1.28 the whole hoast.

¶The .xv. Chapter.

1 The Assyrians are afrayd and flee. 6 The Israelites pursue them. 9 Ioachim the hie priest commeth to Bethulia to see Iudith, and to prayse God for her.

[unspec A] 1 NOw when al the hoast heard that Holopher∣nes was beheaded, their minde & counsell fel from them: and be∣ing amased with feare onely and trembling, they saued them selues by fleeing away,

2 One spake not to another, but hanged downe their heades, left all behinde thē, and made haste to escape from the He∣brues: for they heard that they were ha∣sting to come after with their weapons, and so they fled by the wayes of the fieldes, and through all the foote pathes of the * 1.29 dales.

3 And when the children of Israel saw that they fled, they folowed vpon them: and went downe with trumpettes, blo∣wyng and making a great crye after them.

4 As for the Assyrians they had no or∣der, and kept not them selues together, but fled their way: Neuerthelesse, the children of Israel fell vpon them with one company and order, and discomfi∣ted as many as they might get.

5 And Osias sent messengers vnto all the cities and countries of Israel.

6 So all the regions and euery citie sent out their best men after them in har∣nesse, and smote them with the sworde, till they came to the vttermost parte of their borders.

7 And the other that were in Bethulia came into the tentes of the Assyrians, [unspec B] and tooke all that they which were fled had left behinde them, & so they founde great good.

8 And they that came againe to Bethu∣lia from the battaile, tooke with them such thinges as had ben theirs: there was no number of the cattaile and of all costly iewels, so that from the lowest vn∣to the hiest, they were all made rich of the spoyles of them.

9 And Ioachim the hie priest came from Hierusalem to Bethulia with al the el∣ders, that they might see Iudith.

10 Now when she came out vnto them,

they began all to prayse her with one voyce, saying: Thou worship of the citie of Hierusalem, thou ioy of Israel, thou honour of our people.

11 Because thou hast done manly, and thy heart is comforted, & for that thou hast loued clenlinesse and chastitie, and hast knowen no man but thyne owne husband: therefore hath the hand of the Lorde comforted thee, and blessed shalt thou be for euer.

12 And all the people saide: So be it, So be it.

13 In thirtie dayes coulde the people of Israel scarse gather vp the spoyles of the Assyrians.

14 But all that belonged vnto Holopher∣nes, and had ben his specially (whether it were of golde, of siluer, precious stone, clothing, and all ornamentes) they gaue it vnto Iudith, and it was deliuered vn∣to her of the people.

15 And all the people reioyced, both wo∣men, maydens, and young people, with pipes, and harpes.

¶The .xvi. Chapter.

1 Iudith prayseth God with a song. 23 She offereth to the Lorde Holophernes stuffe. 26 Her continencie, life, and death, 29 All Israel lamenteth her.

[unspec A] 1 THen sang Iudith this song vnto the Lorde, saying:

2 Beginne vnto the Lorde vpon the ta∣brettes, sing vnto the Lorde vpon the cym∣bales, O sing vnto him a newe song of thankes geuing, be ioyfull and call vp∣pon his name.

3 It is the Lord that destroyeth warres, euen the Lorde is his name.

4 Which hath pitched his tentes in the middest of his people, that he might deli∣uer vs from the hand of al our enemies.

5 Assur came out of the mountaines of the north in the multitude of his strength: his people stopped the water brookes, and their horses couered the valleyes.

6 He purposed to haue brent vp my “ 1.30 land, and to slay my young men with the sword.

[unspec B] 7 He woulde haue caried away my chil∣dren and virgins into captiuitie, but the almightie Lorde hindred him, and deli∣uered him into the handes of a woman, “ 1.31which brought him to confusion.

8 For their mightie was not destroyed of the young men, it it was not the sonnes of Titan that slue him, neither haue the great giauntes set them selues against him: but Iudith the daughter of Merari with her faire beautie hath discomfited him, [and brought him to naught.]

9 For she layed away her wydowes garment, and put on the apparell of gladnesse to the reioycing of the children of Israel.

10 She annoynted her face with oynt∣ment & bounde vp her heere in a coyffe, and tooke a newe stole to beguile him.

11 Her slippers rauished his eyes, her beautie captiuated his minde, with the [unspec C] sword smote she of his necke.

12 The Persians were astonied at her stedfastnesse, & the Medes at her bolde∣nesse.

13 Then howled the armies of the Assy∣rians, when my simples appeared, drye of thirst.

14 The sonnes of the daughters haue pearsed them through, and slaine them as fugitiue children: they perished in the battaile, “ 1.32 for the very feare of the Lord my God.

15 Let vs sing a song of thankesgeuing vnto the Lorde, a newe song of prayse wyll we sing vnto our God.

16 Lorde, Lorde thou art a great God, mightie in power, whom no man may ouercome.

17 All thy creatures must serue thee: * 1.33 For thou spakest but the worde, and they were made, thou sentest thy spirite, and they were created, and no man can withstand thy voyce.

18 The mountaynes shall mooue from the foundations with the waters, the stony rockes shall melt before thee like waxe.

19 But they that feare thee, shalbe great [unspec D] with thee in all thinges.

20 Wo vnto the people that rise vp against my generation: for the almightie Lorde wyll auenge him selfe of them, and in the day of iudgement wyll he visite thē.

[unspec D] 21 For he shall geue fire and wormes in their fleshe, that they may burne and feele it for euermore.

22 After this it happened, that after the victorie all the people came to Hierusa∣lem, to geue prayse and thankes vnto the Lorde: And when they were puri∣fied, they offred all their burnt sacrifi∣ces and their vowes, and their promi∣sed offeringes.

23 And Iudith offered all Holophernes weapons [and all the iewels] that the people had geuen her, and the canapie that she toke from his bed, and hanged them vp * 1.34 vnto the Lorde.

24 The people were ioyfull as the vse is: and this ioy with Iudith, by reason of the victorie, endured three monethes.

25 So after these dayes euery man went home againe, and Iudith was in great reputation at Bethulia, and right ho∣nourably taken in al the land of Israel.

26 Vnto her vertue also was chastitie ioyned, so that after her husbande Ma∣nasses dyed, she neuer knewe man all the dayes of her life.

27 Vpon the hye solempne dayes she went out with great worship.

28 She dwelt in her husbandes house an hundred and fiue yeres, and left her handmayden Abra free,

29 And dyed, and was buried beside her husbande in Bethulia: And all the peo∣ple mourned for her seuen dayes.

30 So long as she liued, there was none that troubled Israel, and many yeres also after her death.

31 The day wherein this victorie was gotten, was solemply holden, & recke∣ned of the Iewes in the number of the holy dayes, and it is yet greatly holden of the Iewes euer since, vnto this day.

The ende of the booke of Iudith.

Notes

• “ 1.1

  Or, earth
• “ 1.2

  Or, holy thinges.
• * 1.3

  Ge••e xii. a.
• * 1.4

  Gen. xv. c. Act. v••. Exo. xi. f Gal. ii. ••
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 x••. c.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4 Reg 25 a.
• * 1.7

  •• Esdre. i. a.
• * 1.8

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• “ 1.9

  Or, within the church.
• * 1.10

  Or, then to drinke them.
• “ 1.11

  Or, many houres.
• “ 1.12

  Or, we m•• so glorie.
• * 1.13

  Gen. xxii. a.
• * 1.14

  Or, was made
• * 1.15

  Or, geue vp.
• * 1.16

  Gene 34 b.
• * 1.17

  Or, to re∣uengement of the straun∣gers.
• * 1.18

  Or, tentes.
• “ 1.19

  Or, & that it appertay∣neth to thee to be called lorde.
• * 1.20

  Or, of this man.
• * 1.21

  Or, disci¦pline.
• * 1.22

  Eccle 37. d.
• * 1.23

  i. Reg. 17 g.
• * 1.24

  ii. Mach. 15. ••.
• * 1.25

  Or, the Lorde shall breake 〈…〉〈…〉 fee••e.
• * 1.26

  Or, cur∣taine
• * 1.27

  Or, cur∣taine.
• “ 1.28

  Or, middest of the hoast.
• * 1.29

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• “ 1.30

  Or, bor∣ders.
• “ 1.31

  Or, which did sticke him through.
• “ 1.32

  Or, from the face
• * 1.33

  Gene. i. Psalm. 32. ••.
• * 1.34

  The old in∣terpreter hath: 〈…〉〈…〉.