CHAP. XV.
The Assyrians flee: the Hebrews
pursue after them,
and are enriched by their
spoils.
1 And when all the army
heard that Holofernes
was beheaded, courage and
counsel fled from them, and
being seized with trembling
and fear they thought only to
save themselves by flight.
2 So that no one spoke to
his neighbour, but hanging
down the head, leaving all
things behind, they made haste
to escape from the Hebrews,
who, as they heard, were coming
armed upon them, and
fled by the ways of the fields,
and the paths of the hills.
3 So the children of Israel
seeing them fleeing, followed
after them. And they went
down sounding with trumpets
and shouting after them.
4 And because the Assyrians
were not united together,
they went without order in
their flight: but the children
of Israel pursuing in one body,
defeated all that they could
find.
5 And Ozias sent messengers
through all the cities and
countries of Israel.
6 And every country, and
every city sent their chosen
young men armed after them,
and they pursued them with
the edge of the sword, until
they came to the extremities
of their confines.
7 And the rest that were
in Bethulia went into the camp
of the Assyrians, and took away
the spoils, which the
Assyrians in their flight had
left behind them, and they
were loaden exceedingly.
8 But they that returned
conquerors to Bethulia,
brought with them all things
that were theirs, so that there
was no numbering their cattle,
-- --
and beasts, and all their moveables,
insomuch that from the
least to the greatest all were
made rich by their spoils.
9 And Joachim the high
priest came from Jerusalem to
Bethulia with all his ancients
to see Judith.
10 And when she was come
out to him, they all blessed
her with one voice, saying:
Thou art the glory of Jerusalem,
thou art the joy of Israel,
thou art the honour of
our people:
11 For thou hast done
manfully, and thy heart has
been strengthened, because
thou hast loved chastity, and
after thy husband hast not
known any other: therefore
also the hand of the Lord
hath strengthened thee, and
therefore thou shalt be blessed
for ever.
12 And all the people said:
So be it, so be it.
13 And thirty days were
scarce sufficient for the people
of Israel to gather up the spoils
of the Assyrians.
14 But all those things,
that were proved to be the
peculiar goods of Holofernes,
they gave to Judith in gold,
and silver, and garments and
precious stones, and all household
stuff, and they all were
delivered to her by the people.
15 And all the people rejoiced,
with the women, and
virgins, and young men, playing
on instruments and harps.
Challoner [1752], THE NEW TESTAMENT OF Our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. Translated out of the Latin Vulgat Diligently compared with the original Greek And first published by the English College of Rhemes, anno 1582. Newly revised, and corrected according to the Clementin Edition of the Scriptures. WITH ANNOTATIONS For clearing up modern Controversies in Religion, and other Difficulties of Holy Writ () [word count] [B12000].
