diuers whom S. Hilarie citeth, and dissenteth not from them, Prologo in Psalmos, held this booke for Canonical. Manie more writers likwise about the time of the same Councel, and after so account it. Prudentius in Phychomachia prudicitiæ & libidinis: Chromatius in c.6. Mat. Paulinus. in Natali. 10. S. Chrysostom hom. 10. in Math. S. Ambrose. li. 3. Offic. c. 13. Epist. 82. et li. de viduis. S. Augustin (or some other good author) writte two sermons of Iudith, 228. 229. Cassiodorus diuini lect. c. 6. Fulgentius Epist 2. de statu viduarum. Ferrandus Carthaginensis ad Regi&ubar;; de re militati. Iunilius Africanus li. 1. de partibus diuine ligis. Sulpitius in historia. S. Beda de sex ætatibus. Alredus writing the life of S. Edward our king. More are not necessarie to reasonable men. Concerning the time, and author, it semeth most probable that these thinges happened when Manasses king of Iuda was either in prison in Babylon, or newly restored to his kingdom, who as it semeth permitted the gouerment to the high Priest Eliachim (Chap. 4) otherwise called Ioachim (ch. 15.) who also writte this booke, as Philos Chronologie, li. 2. reporteth. ^note From which time they had no warres til the reigne of Ioacha Z, about 80. yeares, conformable to ihe long peace mentioned, chap. 16. v. 30. In summe we haue here, not a poetical Comedie (as Martin Luther shameth not to cal it, in Simposiacis, c. 29. and in his German Preface of Iudith) but a sacred Historie (as al aforementione estemed it, and the Iewes confesse) of a most valiant Matrons fact, deliuering the people of God from persecution of a cruel Tyranne. ^note The first three chapters shew the occasion of this danger: the next foure describe the difficulties & distresses therof: other seuen with part of the 15. how Iudith deliuered them from it. ^note In the rest Iudith is much praysed, and she with the whole people prayse God. THE BOOKE OF IVDITH. Chap. I. Nabuchodonosor king of A&esset;yrians ouercometh Arphaxad king of the Medes: ^note 7. summoneth manie other nations to submitte themselues to his Empyre: 11. which they refusing he threatneth reuenge.

1   Arphaxad ^note therfore king of the Medes had subdued manie nations to his empire, & he built a most mightie citie, which he called Ecbatanis,

2   Of stone squared and hewed: he made walles therof in height seuentie cubites, and in breadth thirtie cubites, and the towers therof he made in height an hundred cubites.

3   But each side of them was in foure square twentie foote long, and he made the gates therof according

to the height of the towers:

4   and he ^note gloried as mightie in the force of his armie, and in the glorie of his chariotes.

5   In the twelfth yeare of his reigne: Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians, who reigned in Niniue the greate citie, fought against Arphaxad, and ouercame him

6   in the great field, which is called Ragau, about Euphrates, and Tigris, and Iadason in the field of Erioch the king of the Elicians.

7   Then was the kingdom of Nabuchodonosor exalted, and his hart was eleuated: and he sent to al, that dwelt in Cilicia and Damascus, and Libanus,

8   and to the nations, that are in Carmelus, and Cedar, and the inhabitantes of Galilee in the great field of Esdrelon,

9   and to al that were in Samaria, and beyond the riuer Iordan euen to Ierusalem, and al the land of Iesse til you come to the borders of Æthiophia.

10   To al these Nabuchodosor king of the Assyrians sent messengers:

11   Who al with one minde said nay, & sent them backe emptie, and reiected them without honour.

12   Then Nabuchodonosor the king taking indignation against al that land, swore by his throne and kingdom that he would ^note reuenge himselfe of al those countries. Chap. II. Nabuchodonosor sendeth Holofernes his General to waist al countries of the west. 7. with a great armie, and aboundant munition. 11. They subdue manie places, and others are strooken with great feare.

1   In the thirtenth yeare of king Nabuchodonosor, the two and twenteth day of the first moneth, the word was geuen out in the house of Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians, that he would reuenge him selfe.

2   And he called al the ancientes, and al the captaynes, and his men of warre, and communicated with them the secrete of his counsel:

3   and he said that his cogitation was vpon that, to subdew al the earth to his empire.

4   which saying when it had pleased them al, Nabuchodonosor the king called Holofernes the General of his warres,

5   and said to him: Goe forth against euerie kingdom of the west, & against them especially, that contemned my commandment.

6    ^noteThyne eie shal spare no kingdom, and euerie fensed citie thou shalt subdew to me.

7   Then Holofernes called the captaynes, & magistrates of the powre of the Assyrians: and he mustered men for the expedition, as the king commanded him, an hundred twentie thousand fighting

men on foote, and twelue thousand archers horsemen.

8   And he made al his expedition to goe before in a multitude of inumerable camels, with those thinges that might suffice the armies abundantly, heardes of oxen also, and flockes of sheepe, which had no number.

9   He appoynted corne to be prepared out of al Syria in his passage.

10   But gold and siluer he tooke out of the kings house exceding much.

11   And he went forth and al the armie with the chariotes, & horsemen, and the archers, which couered the face of the earth, as locustes.

12   And when he had passed through the coastes of the Assyrians, he came to the great mountaines of Ange, which are on the left hand of Cilicia: and he went vp into al their casteles, and wonne euerie fortresse.

13   And he brake downe the renowmed citie of Melothus, and spoyled al the children of Thersis, and the children of Ismael, which were against the face of the desert, and on the south of the land of Cellon.

14   And he passed ouer Euphrates, and came into Mesopotamia: and he brake al the high cities, that were there, from the torrent of Membre, til ye come to the sea:

15   and he tooke the borders therof, from Cilicia vnto the coastes of Iapheth, which are toward the south.

16   And he caried away al the children of Madian, and spoyled al their riches, and al that resisted him he slew in the edge of the sword.

17   And after these thinges he went downe into the fieldes of Damascus in the daies of haruest, and he set al the corne on fire, and he made al the trees and vineyardes to be cut downe;

18   and the feare of him fel vpon al the inhabitantes of the land. Chap. III. Manie kinges and other princes submitte them selues to Holofernes. 8. He receiueth them, and taketh of their chief men to reinforce his armie, 11. neuertheles destroyeth their cities, and their goddes, that Nabuchodonosor only might be called God.

1   Then the kinges and princes of al cities and prouinces; namely of Syria and Mesopotamia, and Syria Sobal, and Libya, and Cilicia sent their embassadours, which coming to Holofernes, said:

2   Let thy indignation towarde vs cease: For it is better that liuing we feare Nabuchodonosor the great king, and be subiect to thee, then dying, we should with our destruction suffer the damages of our seruitude.

3   Euerie citie of ours, and al our possession, al mountaynes,

and hilles, and fieldes, and heardes of oxen, and flockes of sheepe, and goates, and of horses, and camels, and al our goodes, and families are in thy sight:

4   let al our thinges be vnder thy law.

5   We also, and our children are thy seruantes.

6   Come to vs a peaceable Lord, and vse our seruice, as it shal please thee.

7   Then went he downe from the mountaynes with horsemen in a great powre, and tooke euerie citie, and euerie inhabiter of the land.

8   And of al the cities he tooke to helpe him valiant men, and chosen for battel.

9   And so great feare lay vpon al those prouinces, that the inhabitantes of al cities, princes and honorable persons, together with the people went out to meete him coming,

10   receyuing him with garlandes, and torches, dauncing with timbrels, & shaulmes.

11   Neither doing these thinges, could they for al that mitigate the fircenesse of his stomacke:

12   for he did both destroy their cities, and cut downe their groues.

13   For Nabuchodonosor the king had commanded him, that he should destroy al the goddes of the earth, that ^note he only might be called God of those nations, which could be subdewed with the might of Holofernes.

14   And passing through al Syria Sobal, and al Apamea, & al Mesopotamia he came to the Idumeians into the land of Gabaa,

15   and tooke their cities, and sate there for thirtie dayes, in which daies he commanded al the armie of his powre to be vnited. Chap. IIII. ^note The children of Israel excedingly fearing Holofernes forces, 3. prouide to resist him, by the exhortation of the High priest, vsing both humaine, 8. and diuine meanes.

1   Then the children of Israel, which dwelt in the Land of Iuda, hearing these thinges, were sore afrayd of his presence. ^note

2   Trembling also, and horrour inuaded their senses, lest he would doe that to Ierusalem and to the temple of our Lord, which he had done to other cities, and their temples.

3   And they sent into al Samaria round about, as for as Iericho, and preoccupated al the toppes of mountaynes:

4   and they compassed their townes with walles, and gathered together corne for prouision of battel.

5   Eliachim ^note the priest wrote to al, that were against Esdrelon, which is against the face of the great fielde beside Dothain, and to al, by whom there might be passage of way, that they should take the ascentes

of the mountaynes, by which there might be way to Ierusalem, and should keepe watch, where the way was narrow betwen the mountaynes.

7   And the children of Israel did according as the Priest of our Lord, Eliachim had appointed them.

8   And al the people cried to our Lord with great instance, and they humbled their soules in fastings, and prayers they & their wiues.

9   And the Priestes put on heare clothes, and they laide the infantes prostrate against the face of the temple of our Lord, and the altar of our Lord they couered with hearecloth:

10   and they cried to our Lord the God of Israel With one accord, that their infantes might not be geu&ebar; into praye, & their wiues into spoile, and their cities into destruction, and their holie thinges into pollution, and they be made a reproch to the Gentiles.

11   Then Eliachim the high Priest of our Lord went about al Israel and spake to them,

12   saying: Know ye, that our Lord wil heare your prayers, if continewing you continew in fastinges and prayers in the sight of our Lord.

13   Be mindful of Moyses the seruant of our Lord, who ouerthrew Amalec trusting in his power, and in his might, and in his armie, & in his shieldes, & in his chariotes, & in his horsemen, not by fighting, but with holie prayers:

14   so shal al the enemies of Israel be; if you perseuere in this worke, which you haue begunne.

15   They therfore at this exhortation of his, beseching our Lord, continewed in the sight of our Lord,

16   so that they also, which offered the holocaustes to our Lod, did offer the sacrifices to our Lord girded with heareclothes, and there were ashes vpon their head.

17   And they al prayed God with al their hart, that he would visite his people Israel. Chap. V. ^note Holofernes hearing that the Israelites prepare to resist him, in great rage demandeth diuers particulars concerning that people, 5. Achior an Ammonite telleth the meruelous workes of God towards them. 22. aduiseth him not to fight against them. 26 the chief capitanies are offended, & threaten Achior.

1   And it was told Holofernes the General of the warres of the Assyrians, that the children of Israel prepared themselues to resist, and had shut vp the wayes of the mountaynes,

2   and with exceding furie he chafed in great anger, and called al the princes of Noab and dukes of Ammon,

3   and he sayd to them: Tel me ^note what is this people which besetteth

the mountaynes: or what, and of what sorte, and how great their cities are: also what their power is, or what is their multitude: or who is the king of their warfare:

4   and why aboue al that dwel in the East, haue these contemned vs, and haue not come forth to meete vs, that they might receiue vs with peace?

5   Then Achior captaine of al the children of Ammon answering, said: If thou woutsafe my Lord to heare, I wil tel the truth in thy sight of this people, which dwelleth in the mountaynes, and there shal not a false word come forth of my mouth.

6   This people is of the progenie of the Chaldees.

7   The same dwelt first in Mesopotamia, because they would not folow the goddes of their fathers, which were in the land of the Chaldees.

8   Forsaking therfore the ceremonies of their fathers, which were in multitude of goddes,

9   they worshipped one God of heauen, who also commanded them that they should depart from thence, and should dwel in Charan. And when there was famine ouer al the land, they went downe into Ægypt, and there for foure hundred yeares were so multiplied, that the host of them could not be numbred.

10   And when the king of Ægypt oppressed them, and in the buildinges of his cities had subdewed them in brick and claye, they cried to their Lord, and he stroke the whole Land of Ægypt with diuers plagues.

11   And when the Ægyptians had cast them out from them, and the plague had ceased from them, and they would take them againe, and cal them backe to their seruice,

12   these fleeing away, the God of heauen opened the sea, so that the waters were ^noteconsolidated as a wal, on either side, and they walking through the botome of the sea passed drie foote.

13   In which place whiles an innumerable armie of the Ægyptians pursewed them, they were so ouerwhelmed with the waters, that there was not one remayning, to tel the fact to posteritie.

14   Also being past the read sea, they possessed the desertes of Mount Sinai, in which neuer man could dwel, or sonne of man rested.

15   There bitter fountaynes were made sweete for them to drinke, and for fourtie yeares they receiued meate from heauen.

16   Wheresoever they entered without bow and arrow, and without shielde and sword, their God fought for them, and ouercame.

17   And there was not that did insult against this people, but when they departed from the worship of the Lord their God.

18   But as often as

beside their owne God, they worshiped another, they were geuen to praye, and into the sword, and to reproch.

19   And as often as they were penitent for that they reuolted from the worship of their God, the God of heauen gaue them power to resist.

20   Finally the king of the Chananeites, and of Iebuseites, and of the Pherezeites, and of the Hetheites, and of the Heueites, and of the Amorrheites, and al the mightie in Hesebon they ouerthrew, and they possessed their landes, & their cities:

21   and as long as they sinned not in the sight of their God, it was wel with them, for their God hateth iniquitie.

22   For ^note these yeares also past when they had reuolted from the way, which God had geuen them, that they should walke in it, they were destroyed in battels by manie nations, and verie manie of them were led captiue into a strange land.

23   But of late returning to the Lord their God, from the dispersion wherein they were dispersed, they are vnited & are come vp into al these mountaynes, and possesse Ierusalem againe where their Holies are.

24   Now therfore my Lord, search if there be any iniquitie of theirs in the sight of their God: and let vs goe vp to them, because their God deliuering wil deliuer them to thee, and they shal be subdewed vnder the yoke of thy power:

25   but if there be no offence of this people before their God, we can not resist them, because their God wil defend them: and we shal be a reproche to the whole earth.

26   And it came to passe, when Achior had ceased to speake these wordes, al the great men of Holofernes were angrie, and they thought to kil him, saying to each other:

27    ^notewho is this, that sayth the children of Israel can resist king Nabuchodonosor, and his armies, men vnarmed, and without force, and without skil of the feates of warre?

28   That Achior therfore may know that he deceiueth vs, let vs goe vp into the mountaynes: and when their mightie ones shal be taken, then shal he with them be strooken through with the sword:

29   that euerie nation may know that Nabuchodonosor is God of the earth, and besides him there is none other. Chap. VI. Holofernes in great rage sendeth Achior to Bethulia, that he may there be slaine with the Israelites. 8. He is leift bound to a tree, 10. from whence the Israelites taking him, he telleth them the cause. 14. They entertaine him courteously and earnestly pray to God for helpe.

1   And it came to passe when they had ceased to speake, Holofernes being sore offended, said to Achior:

2   Because thou hast prophecied vnto vs saying, that the nation of Israel is defended of their God, that I may sheu thee ^note that there is no God, but Nabuchodonosor:

3   when we shal haue strook&ebar; them al as one man, then thy self with them shalt die by the sword of the Assyrians, and al Israel with thee shal perish by destruction:

4   and thou shalt proue that Nabuchodonosor is lord of the whole earth: and then the sword of my warfare shal passe through thy sides, & pearsed thou shalt fal among the wounded of Israel, and thou shalt no more fetch breath, til thou be destroyed with them.

5   But if thou thinke thy prophecie true, let not thy countenance quaile, and the palenesse that is in thy face, let it depart from thee, if thou thinke these my wordes can not be accomplished.

6   And that thou mayst know that thou shalt proue these thinges together with them, behold from this houre thou shalt be associate to their people, that whiles they shal receiue worthie punishment of my sword, thou withal may be subiect to the vengeance.

7   Then Holofernes commanded his seruantes that they should take Achior, and lead him into Bethula, and should deliuer him into the handes of the children of Israel.

8   And the seruantes of Holofernes taking him, went through the champaine: but when they came neere the mountaynes, the slingers came forth against them.

9   And they turning out of the way by the side of the mountayne, tyed Achior to a tree hand and foote, and so left him bound with withes, and returned to their lord.

10   Moreouer the children of Israel descending from Bethulia, came to him. Whom loosing they brought to Bethulia, and setting him in the middes of the people, demanded what was the matter, that the Assyrians had left him bound.

11   In those dayes the princes there, were Ozias the sonne of Micha of the tribe of Simeon, and Charmi, who also is Gothoniel.

12   In the middes therefore of the ancientes, and in the sight of al, Achior told al thinges that he had spoken being asked of Holofernes: and how the people of Holofernes would haue killed him for this word,

13   and how Holofernes him selfe being angrie c&obar;manded him to be deliuered for this cause to the Israelites: that when he should ouercome the children of Israel, then he might command Achior also himself to die by diuerse tormentes,

for this that he had said: The God of heauen is their defender.

14   And when Achior had declared al these thinges, al the people fel on their face, adoring our Lord, and with common lamentation and weeping they powred out their prayers with one accord to our Lord,

15   saying: Lord God of heauen and earth, behold ^note their pride, and haue regard to ^note our humilitie, and attend ^note the face of thy sainctes, and shew that ^note thou forsakest not them that presume of thee and, that thow humblest them that presume of them selues, and glorie of their power.

16   Their weeping therfore being ended, & the peoples prayer by the whole day being finished, they comforted Achior,

17   saying: The God of our fathers, whose power thou hast set forth, he wil geue thee this recompence, that thou rather shalt see their destruction.

18   And when the Lord our God shal geue this libertie to his seruantes, be God with thee also in the middes of vs: that as it shal please thee, so thou with al thine mayst conuerse with vs.

19   Then Ozias, the counsel being ended, receiued him into his house, and made him a greate supper.

20   And al the ancientes being called, they refreshed them selues together after the fasting was ended.

21   But afterwarde al the people was called together, and al the night long within the church, they prayed desiring helpe of the God of Israel. Chap. VII. Holofernes besiegeth Bethulia, 6. cutteth their conduite of water, 9. kepeth their fountaines. 12. the people murmure, and mutenie, 18. yet they pray to God, 23. and the high priest determineth, if aide come not within fiue dayes, to deliuer the citie to the Assyrians.

1   Bvt Holofernes the next day commanded his armies, that they should goe vp against Bethulia.

2   And there were of warre foote men an hundred twentie thousand, and horse men two and twentie thousand, besides the preparations of those men, whom the captiuitie had taken, and had beene led away out of the prouinces and cities, of al youth.

3   Al prepared them selues together to the fight agaynst the children of Israel, and they came by the hil side vnto the toppe, which looketh toward Dothaim, from the place which is called Belma vnto Chelmon, which is against Esdrelon.

4   But ^notethe children of Israel, as they saw the multitude of them, laid themselues prostrate vpon the earth, casting ashes vpon

their heades, praying with one accord, that the God of Israel would shew his mercie vpon his people.

5   And taking their weapons of warre, they fate at the places, which by a narrow path way lead directly betwen the mountaynes, and they were keping them al day and night.

6   Moreouer Holofernes, whiles he compasseth round about, found that the fo&ubar;tayne, which ranne in, went directly to their conduite on the south side without the citie: and he commanded their conduite to be cut asunder.

7   Neuerthelesse there were fountaynes not far from the walles, out of which secretly they semed to draw water to refresh them selues, rather then to drinke.

8   But the children of Ammon, & Moab came to Holofernes, saying: The children of Israel trust not in speare, nor in arrow, but the mountaynes defend them, & the hilles standing meruelous stipe gard them.

9   Therfore that thou mayst ouercome them without ioyning battel, set kepers of the fountaynes, that they may not draw water of them, and without sword thou shalt kil them, or at the least being wearied they wil yeld their citie, which they thinck being set in the mountaynes, can not be ouercome.

10   And these wordes pleased Holofernes, and his souldiars, and he placed round about an hundred men at euerie fountayne.

11   And when that watch had beene fully kept for twentie dayes, the cesternes sayled, and the collections of waters to al the inhabitantes of Bethulia, so that there was not within the citie, wherof they might be satisfied no not for one day, because water was dayly geuen to the people by measure.

12   Then al the men, and wemen, yong men, and children, being gathered together to ^note Ozias, al together with one voice,

13   said: God iudge betwen vs and thee, because thou hast done euil agaynst vs, in that thou wouldest not speake peaceably with the Assyrians, and for this cause God hath sold vs into their handes.

14   And there is none to helpe, wheras we lye prostrate before their eies in thirst, & great destruction.

15   And now assemble ye al, that are in the citie, that we may of our owne accord yeld vs al to the people of Holofernes.

16   For it is better, that captiues we blesse our Lord liuing, then we should die, and be a reproch to al flesh, when we shal see our wiues, and our infantes die before our eies.

17   We cal to witnes this day heauen and earth, and the God of our fathers, which taketh vengeance of vs according to our sinnes, that now you deliuer

the citie into the hand of Holofernes armie, that our end may be short in the edge of the sword, which is made longer in the drught of thirst.

18   And when they had said these thinges, there was made great weeping and howling of al in the assemble, and for manie houres with one voice they cried to God, saying:

19   We haue sinned with our fathers, we haue done vniustly, we haue committed iniquitie.

20   Thou because thou art gracious, haue mercie vpon vs, or in thy scourge reuenge our iniquities, and deliuer not them that trust in thee to a people, that knoweth not thee,

21   that they say not among the Gentiles: Where is their God?

22   And when they wearied with these cries, and tyred with these weepings, had held their peace,

23   Ozias rysing vp embrued with teares, said: Be of good chere bretheren, and these fiue daies let vs expect mercie of our Lord.

24   For peraduenture he wil cut of his indignation, and wil geue glorie to his name.

25   But if after fiue daies be past there come no aide, we wil doe these wordes, which you haue spoken. Chap. VIII. Iudith a most vertuous, rich, fayre, & renowmed widow, 9. rebuketh the high priest and ancientes, for their determination to deliuer the citie, if ayde come not in fiue dayes, ^note 14. exhorteth al to penance. 28. They al agree to her godlie aduise, 30. praying for good sucesse of her intention, which they yet know not.

1   And it came to passe, when Iudith a widow had heard these wordes, which was the daughter of Merari, the sonne of Idox, the sonne of Ioseph, the sonne of Ozias, the sonne of Elai, the sonne of Iamnor, the sonne of Gedeon, the sonne of Raphaim, the sonne of Achitob, the sonne of Melchias, the sonne of Enan, the sonne of Nathanias, the sonne of Salathiel, the sonne of Simeon, the sonne of Israel:

2   and her husband was Manasses, who died in the daies of barley haruest:

3   for he was occupied with them that bound sheues in the field, and the heate came vpon his head, and he died in Bethulia his citie, and was buried there with his father.

4   And Iudith was least his widow now three yeares and six monethes. ^note

5   And in the higher partes of her house she made her self ^note a secrete chamber, in which she abode shut vp with her maides,

6   and hauing ^note cloth of heare vpon her loynes, she ^notefasted al the daies of her life, but Sabbathes, and ^note newmoones,

and the feastes of the house of Israel.

7   And she was of an exceding beautiful countenance, to whom her husband had least much richesse, and a great familie, and possessions ful of heardes of oxen, and flockes of sheepe.

8   And she was among al most famous, because she feared our Lord very much, neither was there that spake an il word of her.

9   When she therfore had heard that Ozias had promised, that after the fifth day were past he would yeld the citie, she sent to the ancientes Chabri and Charmi.

10   And they came to her, and she said to them: What is this word, wherein Ozias hath consented, to yeld the citie to the Assyrians, if within fiue daies there come no ayde to vs?

11   And what are you, that tempt our Lord?

12   This is no word that may prouoke mercie, but rather that may rayse vp wrath, and inflame furie.

13   You ^notehaue set a time for the mercie of our Lord, and according to your pleasure, you haue appointed him a day.

14   But because our Lord is patient, let vs be penitent for this same thing, and sheding teares let vs desire his pardon:

15   for not as man, so wil God threaten, neither as the sonne of man wil he be inflamed to anger.

16   And therfore let vs humble our soules to him, and being setled in an humble spirit, seruing him:

17   let vs say weeping to our Lord, that according to his wil so he doe his mercie with vs: that as our hart is trubled in their pride, so also we may glorie in our humilitie:

18   because we haue not folowed the sinnes of our fathers, which forsooke their God, and adored strange goddes,

19   for which abomination they were geuen into the sword, and into confusion to their enemies: but we know no other God but him.

20   Let vs humbly expect his consolation, and he wil require our bloud of the afflictions of our enemies, and he wil humble al Nations, what soeuer shal rise vp against vs, and the Lord our God wil make them without honour.

21   And now bretheren, because you are ancientes in the people of God, and their soules depende of you: by your speach comforte their hartes, that they be mindful, that our fathers were tempted to be proued, whether they did worshippe their God truly.

22   They must be mindful how our father Abraham was tempted, and by many tribulations proued, was made the freind of God.

23   So Isaac, so Iacob, so Moyses, & al that haue pleased God, through manie tribulations haue passed faithful.

24   But they that did not receiue the tentations with the feare

of our Lord, and vttered their impatience and reproch of their murmuring against our Lord,

25   were destroyed of ^note the destroyer, and perished by serpents.

26   And we therfore let vs not reuenge ourselues for these thinges, which we suffer,

27   but reputing these verie punishments to be the scourges of our Lord lesse then our sinnes, wherwith as seruantes we are chastised, let vs thinke them to haue chanced to our amendement, and not to our destruction.

28   And Ozias and the ancientes sayd to her: Al thinges which thou hast spoken, be true, and there is no reprehension in thy wordes.

29   Now therfore pray for vs, because thou art a holie woman, and fearing God.

30   And Iudith said to them: As you know, that which I could speake to be of God:

31   so that which I haue disposed to doe, proue if it be of God, and pray that God establish my counsel.

32   You shal stand at the gate this night, and I wil goe out with myne ^note abra: and pray ye, that as you haue said, in fiue dayes our Lord respect his people Israel.

33   But I wil not that you search my doing, and til I bring you word, let nothing els be done, but pray for me to our Lord God.

34   And Ozias the prince of Iuda said to her: Goe in peace, and our Lord be with thee to the reuenge of our enemies. And returning they departed. Chap. IX. ^note Iudith in hearecloth & ashes prayeth for the deliuerie of the people, remembering like benefites of God. 12. craueth powre to ouerthrow Holofernes.

1   VVho going away, Iudith ^note went into her oratorie: and clothing her self with hearecloth, put ashes vpon her head: and falling prostrate to our Lord, she cried to our Lord, saying:

2   Lord God of may father Simeon, who gauest him a sword for defenee against strangers, which were rauishers in their coinquination, and discouered the virgine vnto confusion:

3   and gauest their wemen into praye, and their daughters into captiuitie: and al the praye to be diuided to thy seruantes, which were zelous in ^note thy zele: helpe I bebesech thee ô lord God me a widow.

4   For thou hast done the thinges heretofore, and hast purposed one thing after an other: and that hath bene done which thou wouldest.

5   For al thy wayes are readie, and thy iudgementes thou hast put in thy prouidence.

6   Looke vpon the campe of the Assyrians now, as thou didst voutsafe to see the campe of the Ægyptians,

when they ran armed after thy seruantes, trusting in chariotes, and in their horsemen, and in a multitude of men of warre.

7   But thou didst looke ouer their campe. and darkenesse wearied them.

8   The depth held their feete, and the waters ouerwhelmed them.

9   So let these also be made ô Lord, which trust in their multitude, and in their chariotes, and in pikes, and in shieldes, and in their arrowes, and glorie in their speares,

10   and know not thy self art our God, which destroyest warres from the beginning, and Lord is thy name.

11   Lift vp thyne arme as from the beginning, and dash their power in thy power: let their power fal in thy wrath, which promise that they wil violate thy holie thinges, and pollute the tabernacle of thy holie name, & with their sword throw downe the horne of thyne altar.

12   Bring to passe Lord, that his pride be cut of with his owne sword,

13    ^notelet him be caught with the snares of his eies in me, and thou shalt strike him from the lippes of my charitie.

14   Geue me constancie in mind, that I may contemne him: and powre that I may ouerthrow him.

15   For this shal be a memorial of thy name, when the hand of a woman shal ouerthrow him.

16   For not in multitude is thy power ô Lord, neither in strength of horses is thy wil, neither haue the proud pleased thee from the beginninge: but the prayer of the humble and meeke hath alwayes pleased thee.

17   God of the heauens, creatour of the waters, and Lord of euerie creature, heare me wretch, praying and presuming of thy mercie.

18   Remember Lord thy testament, and geue a word in my mouth, and strengthen counsel in my hart, that thy house may continew in thy sanctification:

19   and al Nations may acknowledge, that thou art God, and there is no other besides thee. Chap. X. Iudith excellently adorned, and very beautiful goeth with her handmaide towards the campe, 11. is taken by the watch, 16. and brought to Holofernes.

1   And it came to passe, when she had ceased to crie to our Lord, she rose from the place, wherein she lay prostrate to our Lord.

2   And she called her ^note abra, and going downe into her house she tooke from her the hearecloth, and put of the garmentes of her widowhood,

3   and washed her bodie, and anoynted her self with ointement, and plaited the heare of her head, and put a crowne vpon her head, and clothed herselfe

with the garmentes of her ioyfulnes, and put ^note pantofles on her feete, and tooke braceletes, and Lilies, and eareletes, and ringes, and with al her ornamentes she adorned her self.

4   To whom also ^note our Lord gaue beautie: because al this trimming did not depend of sensualitie, but of vertue: & therfore our Lord amplified this beautie on her, that she might appeare to al mens eies of incomparable comlines.

5   She therfore layd vpon her abra ^note a bottel of wyne, and a vessel of oyle, and ^note polent, and drie figges, and bread, and cheese, and went foreward.

6   And when they were come to the gate of the citie, they found Ozias expecting, and the ancientes of the citie.

7   Who when they saw her, being astonished maruailed at her beautie exceedingly,

8   Yet asking her no question, they let her passe, saying: The God of our fathers geue thee grace, and strengthen al the counsel of thy hart, with his powre, that Ierusalem may glorie vpon thee, and thy name may be in the number of the holie and iust.

9   And they that were there said, al with one voyce: So be it, so be it.

10   But Iudith praying our Lord, passed through the gates she and her Abra.

11   And it came to passe, when she went downe the hil, about breake of day the watchmen of the Assyrians mette her, and held her, saying: whence comest thou? or whither goest thou?

12   Who answered, I am a daughter of the Hebrews, therfore am I fled from their face, ^note because I knew it should come to passe, that they should be geuen you vnto spoyle, because that contemning you, they would not of their owne accord yeld themselues, that they might find mercie in your sight.

13   For this cause I thought with my self, saying: I wil goe to the presence of the prince of Holofernes, that I may tel him their secretes, and shew him by what entrance he may winne them, so that there shal not fal one man of his armie.

14   And when those men had heard her wordes, they considered her face, and she was a wonder in their eies, for they marueiled at her beautie excedingly.

15   And they said to her: Thou hast saued thy life, in that thou hast found such counsel, that thou wouldest come downe to our lord.

16   And this know thou, that when thou shalt stand in his sight, he wil deale wel with thee, and thou shalt be most gratious in his hart. And they brought her to the tabernacle of Holofernes, telling him of her.

17   And when she was entered before his face, forth with Holofernes was caught in his eies.

18   And his

guard said to him: Who can contemne the people of the Hebrewes, which haue ^note so beautiful wem&ebar;, that we should not worthely fight against them for these?

19   Iudith therfore seeing Holofernes sitting in a canopie, which was wouen of purple, and gold, and emerauld, and pretious stones:

20   and when she had looked in his face, she adored him, falling prostrate vpon the ground. And the seruantes of Holofernes lifted her vp, their lord commanding it. Chap. XI. Holofernes demanding Iudith the cause of her coming: 4, she deceiueth him with a probable narration.

1   Then Holofernes said to her: Be of good chere, and feare not in thy hart: because I haue neuer hurt man, that would serue Nabuchodonosor the king.

2   And thy people, if they had not contemned me, I would neuer haue lifted vp my speare ouer them.

3   But now tel me, for what cause hast thou departed from them, and it hath pleased thee to come to vs?

4   And Iudith said to him: ^note Take the wordes of thy handmayde, for if thou wilt folow the wordes of thy handmayde, our Lord wil do with thee a perfect thing.

5   For Nabuchodonosor the king of the earth liueth, and his power liueth which is in thee to the chastising of al straying soules: that not onlie men serue him by thee, but also the beastes of the field obey him.

6   For the industrie of thy mind is reported to al nations, and it is declared to al the world, that thou onlie art good, and mightie in al his kingdom, and thy discipline is bruted to al prouinces.

7   Neither is that vnknowne, which Achior spake, neither are we ignorant of that thou hast commanded to come vpon him.

8   For it is certaine that our God is so offended with sinnes, that he hath sent word by his prophetes to the people, that he wil deliuer them for their sinnes.

9   And because the children of Israel know they offended their God, thy dread is vpon them.

10   Moreouer also famine hath inuaded them, and for drought of water they are now estemed among the dead.

11   Finally they ordayne this, to kil their cattel, and to drinke the bloud of them,

12   and the holie thinges of our Lord their God which God commanded not to be touched, in corne, wine, and oile, these haue they purposed to bestow, and they wil consume the thinges which they ought not to touch with their handes: therfore because

they do these thinges, it is sure that they shal be geuen into perdition.

13   Which I thy handmayde knowing, am fled from them, and our Lord hath sent me to tel thee these verie thinges.

14   For I thy handmayde worshippe God, euen now being with thee, and thy handmayde wil goe forth, and I wil pray God,

15   and he wil tel me when he wil repay them their sinnes, and I coming wil tel thee, so that I may bring thee through the middes of Ierusalem, and thou shalt haue al the people of Israel, as sheepe, that haue no pastor, and there shal not so much as one dog barke against thee:

16   because these thinges are told me by the prouidence of God.

17   And because God is angrie with them, I am sent to tel these vetie thinges to thee.

18   And al these wordes pleased Holofernes, and his seruantes, and they maruailed at her wisedom, and one said to an other:

19   There is not such a woman vpon the earth in looke, in beautie, and in sense of wordes.

20   And Holofernes sayd to her: God hath done wel, which sent thee before the people, that thou mightest geue them into our handes:

21   and because thy promise is good, if thy God shal doe this for me, he shal also be my God, and thou shalt be great in the house of Nabuchodonosor, and thy name shal be renowmed in al the earth. Chap. XII. Iudith is brought into Holofernes treasurehouse, 2. hath leaue to abstaine from the Gentils meates, 5. and to goe forth in the night to pray. 10. The fourth day she cometh to Holofernes banket; 16, he is taken with concuspiscence, and drinketh very much wine.

1   Then he bad her goe in where his treasures were layd vp, and bad her tarie there, and he appoynted what should be geuen her of his owne banket.

2   To whom Iudith answered, and said: Now ^note I can not eate of these thinges, which thou commandest to be geuen me, lest there come displeasure vpon me: but I wil eate of these thinges, which I haue brought.

3   To whom Holofernes said: If these thinges which thou hast brought with thee shal fayle thee, what shal we doe to thee.

4   And Iudith said: Thy soule liueth my lord, that thy handmayde shal not spend al these thinges, til God doe by my hand these thinges, which I haue purposed. And his seruantes brought her into the tabernacle, which he had commanded.

5   And whiles she went in, she desired that

she might haue licence to goe forth, in the night and before day to prayer, and to besech our Lord.

6   And he commanded his chamberlaynes, that as it pleased her, she should goe out & come in to adore her God for three dayes.

7   And she went forth in the nightes into the vale of Bethulia, and washed her self in a fountaine of water.

8   And as she came vp, she prayed our Lord the God of Israel, that he would direct her way to the deliuerie of his people.

9   And going in, she remayned ^note pure in the tabernacle, vntil she tooke her owne meate in the euening.

10   And it came to passe in the fourth day, Holofernes made a supper to his seruantes, and sayd to Vagao his eunuch: Goe, and perswade that Hebrew woman, that she consent of her owne accord to dwel with me.

11   For it is a foule thing with the Assyrians, if a woman mocke a man in doing, that she passe free from him.

12   Then Vagao went in to Iudith, & said: Let not the good ^note yong maide feare to goe in to my Lord, that she may be honoured before his face, that she may eate with him and drinke wine in ioyfulnes.

13   To whom Iudith answered: Who am I, that I should gaynesay my lord?

14   Al that shal be good and best before his eies, wil I doe. And whatsoeuer shal please him, that shal be best to me al the dayes of my life.

15   And she arose, and decked herself with her garmentes, and going in she stood before his face.

16   And the hart of Holofernes was strooken: for he burnt in the concupiscence of her.

17   And Holofernes said to her: Drinke now, and sit downe in ioyfulnes, because thou hast found grace before me.

18   And Iudith said: I wil drinke my lord, because my soule is magnified this day aboue al my dayes.

19   And she tooke, and did eate, and dranke before him those thinges, which her handmayde had prepared her.

20   And Holofernes was made pleasant toward her, and dranke wine exceeding much, so much as he had neuer drunke in his life? Chap. XIII. Holofernes lying in a druncken sleepe, Iudith cutteth of his head, 12. so returneth with her maide through the gard, as it were to pray, cometh to Bethulia, 16. exhorteth al to thanke God, and she weth them the head. 22. She is blessed of al. 27. Achior also praiseth God and Iudith.

1   And when it was waxen late, his seruantes made hast to their lodgings, and Vagao shut the chamber doores, and went his way.

2   And they were al ouerladen with wine.

3   And Iudith was alone in the chamber.

4   Moreouer Holofernes lay in his bed, fast a slepe with very much ^note drunkennes.

5   And Iudith said to her mayd that she should stand without before the chamber, and watch.

6   And Iudith stood before the bed, praying with teares, and with mouing of her lippes in silence,

7   saying: Confirme me o Lord God of Israel, and in this houre haue respect to the workes of my handes, that as thou hast promised, thou mayst aduance ^note Ierusalem thy citie: and I may bring to passe that which I beleuing that it may be done by thee, haue purposed.

8   And when she had sayd these thinges, she went to the piller, that was at his beds head, and his sword that hong tyed on it, she loosed.

9   And when she had drawen it out, she tooke him by the heare of his head, and sayd: Confirme me ô Lord God in this houre,

10   and she stroke twise vpon his necke, and cut of his head, and tooke his canopie from the pillers, and rolled aside his bodie a truncke.

11   And after a while she went out, and deliuered the head of Holofernes to her mayde, and bad her put it into her wallet.

12   And they two went forth, according to their custome, as it were to prayer, and they passed the campe, and compassing the valley, they came to the gate of the citie.

13   And Iudith a far of said to the keepers of the walles: Open the gates, because God is with vs, which hath wrought power in Israel.

14   And it came to passe, when the men had heard her voyce, they called the ancientes of the citie.

15   And they ran al to meete her, from the least to the greatest: because they hoped not that now she would come.

16   And they lighting lightes gathered round about her euerie one: and she going vp into a higher place, commanded silence to be made. And when al had held their peace,

17   Iudith said: Prayse yee the Lord our God, who hath not forsaken them that hope in him:

18   and in me his handmayde he hath fulfilled his mercie, which he promised to the house of Israel: and he hath killed by my hand the enemie of his people this night.

19   And bringing forth the head of Holofernes out of the wallet, she shewed it them, saying: Loe the head of Holofernes the general of the armie of the Assyrians, and behold his canopie, wherein he lay in his drunkennes, where the Lord our God stroke him by the hand of a woman.

20   But the same our Lord liueth, that his ^note Angel hath kept me, both going hence, and abyding there, and from thence returning hither: and our

Lord hath not suffered me his handmayde to be defyled, but without pollution of sinne he hath called me backe to you, reioysing in this victorie, in my escape, and in your deliuerie.

21   Confesse ye al to him, because he is good, because his mercie is for euer.

22   And they al adoring our Lord, said to her: Our Lord hath blessed thee in his power, because by thee he hath brought our enemies to nothing.

23   Moreouer Ozias the prince of the people of Israel, said to her: Blessed art thou daughter of our Lord the high God aboue al wemen vpon the earth.

24   Blessed be our Lord, which made heauen and earth, which hath directed thee vnto the woundes of the head of the prince of our enemies.

25   Because this day he hath so magnified thy name, that thy prayse shal not depart out of the mouth of men, which shal be mindeful of the power of our Lord for euer, for that thou hast not spared thy life for the distresses and tribulation of thy kinred, but hast holpen the ruine before the presence of our God.

26   And al the people sayd: So be it, so be it.

27   Moreouer Achior being called came, and Iudith said to him: The God of Israel, to whom thou gauest testimonie, that he reuengeth him self of his enemies, he hath cut of the head of al the vnfaithful this night by my hand.

28   And that thou mayst proue that it is so, loe the head of Holofernes, who in the contempt of his pride contemned the God of Israel: and threatened thee death, saying: When the people of Israel shal be taken, I wil command thy sides to be pearsed with a sword.

29   But Achior seing the head of Holofernes, being in anguish for feare, fel on his face vpon the earth, and his soule was sore trubled.

30   But after taking spirit agayne he was refreshed, & fel downe at her feete, and adored her, and sayd:

31   Blessed art thou of thy God in euerie tabernacle of Iacob, because in euerie nation, which shal heare thy name, the God of Israel shal be magnified in thee. Chap. XIIII. Holofernes head is hanged on the wall. 6. Achior is circumcised, 7. The Israelites assault the Assyrians, 8. who going to awake their General, 14. sinde him slaine, 17, and are al confounded with feare.

1   And Iudith said to al the people: Heare me brethren, hang ye this head vpon our walles:

2   and it shal be, when the sunne shal rise, let euerie man take his armour, and yssue ye forth with violence, not that you goe downe

beneath, but as it were inuading violently.

3   Then the watchmen must of necessitie runne to rayse vp their prince to battel.

4   And when the captaynes of them shal runne to the tabernacle of Holofernes, and shal finde him headles rowled in bloud, feare wil fal vpon them.

5   And when you shal know that they flee, goe after them securely, because our Lord wil destroy them vnder your feete.

6   Then ^note Achior seeing the power, that God of Israel wrought, forsaking the rite of gentilitie, beleued God, and circuncided the flesh of his prepuce, and was ioyned to the people of Israel, and al the succession of his kinred vntil this present day.

7   And immediatly as day brake, they hong the head of Holofernes vpon the walles, and euerie man tooke his armour, and they went forth with great noyse and shouting.

8   Which the watchmen seing, ranne to the tabernacle of Holofernes.

9   Moreouer they that were in the tabernacle, coming, and before the dore of the tabernacle making a noyse, to rayse him, they endeuored by art to disquiet him, that Holofernes might awake not by them raysing him, but by them making a noyse.

10   For no man durft by knocking, or entring, to open the chamber of the chiefe of the Assyrians.

11   But when his dukes and tribunes were come, and al the chiefe of the armie of the king of the Assyrians, they said to the chamberlayns:

12   Goe in, and awake him, because the mice yssuing out of their holes, haue presumed to prouoke vs to battel.

13   Then Vagao entring into his chamber, stoode before the cortine, and made a clapping with his handes: for he thought that he slept with Iudith.

14   But when with the sense of his eares he percieued no motion of person lying, he came neere to the cortine, and lifting it vp, and seing the bodie without the head of Holofernes weltred in his bloud lye vpon the ground, cried out in a lowd voyce with weeping, and rent his garmentes.

15   And going into the tabernacle of Iudith, he found her not, and he lept forth to the people,

16   and sayd: One Hebrewe woman hath made confusion in the house of king Nabuchodonosor: for behold Holofernes lyeth vpon the ground, and his head is not vpon him.

17   Which when the princes of the power of the Assyrians had heard, they al rent their garmentes, and intollerable feare and dread fel vpon them, and their mindes were trubled excedingly.

18   And there was made an incomparable crie in the middes of their campe.

Chap. XV. The Assyrians flee for feare, 3. the Hebrewes pursue them, 7. and are enriched by the spoyles. 9. The high priest with others come from Ierusalem and prayse Iudith. 14. The goodes of Holofernes are geuen to her.

1   And when al the armie heard that Holofernes was beheaded, courage and counsel fel from them, and being shaken with trembling onlie and feare, they helpe them selues by flight,

2   so that none spake with his neighbour, but hanging the head, al thinges leaft behind, they made hast to escape the Hebrewes, whom they heard to come armed vpon them, fleing by the waies of the fieldes, and the pathes of the hilles.

3   The children of Israel therfore seing them fleing, folowed them. And they went downe sounding with trumpettes, and shouting after them.

4   And because the Assyrians were not vnited together, they went headlong into flight: but the children of Israel pursewing in one companie, discomfited al that they could find.

5   Ozias therfore sent messengers through al the cities and countries of Israel.

6   Euerie countrie therfore, and euerie citie sent chosen youth armed after them, and they pursewed them in the edge of the sword, vntil they came to the extremetie of their borders.

7   And the rest that were in Bethulia, entered into the campe of the Assyrians, and tooke away the praye, which the Assyrians fleing had leaft, and were loden excedingly.

8   But they that were returned conquerers to Bethulia, tooke away with them al thinges that were theirs, so that there was no number in cattel, and beastes, and al their moueables, that from the least vnto the greatest al were made rich of their prayes.

9   And Ioachim the high Priest came from Ierusalem into Bethulia with al his ancientes to see Iudith. ^note

10   Who when she was come out to him, they al blessed her with one voyce, saying: ^note Thou art the glorie of Ierusalem, thou the ioy of Israel, thou the honour of our people:

11   because thou hast done manfully, and thy hart was strengthened, for that thou hast loued chastitie, and after thy husband not knowne any other: therfore also the hand of our Lord hath strengthened thee, and therfore shalt thou be blessed for euer.

12   And al the people sayd: So be it, so be it.

13   And for thirtie daies, scarse were the spoyles of the Assyrians gathered of the people of Israel.

14   Moreouer al thinges, that were proued to be the peculiar

goodes of Holofernes, they gaue to Iudith in gold, and siluer, and garmentes, and pretious stones, and al stuffe, and al the thinges were deliuered her of the people.

15   And al the people reioysed with wemen, and virgins, and yongmen, on instrumentes and harpes. Chap. XVI. Iudith singeth a canticle of thanks geuing to our Lord. 22. The people goe to Ierusalem and offer sacrifices. 25. She in great honour liueth a widow til her death in good old age. 30. the people haue long peace, and a feastiual day is instituted in perpetual memorie of her fact.

1   Then sang Iudith this song to our Lord, saying:

2   Beginne ye to our Lord in timbrels, sing ye to our Lord in cymbals, tune to him a new psalme, reioyse, and inuocate his name.

3    ^noteOur Lord confoundeth battels, Lord is his name.

4   Who hath set his campe in the middes of his people, that he might deliuer vs from the hand of al our enemies.

5   Assur came out of the mountaynes from the North in the multitude of his strength: whose multitude stopped vp the torrentes, and their horses couered the valles.

6   He said that he would set my borders on fyre, and kil my yongmen with the sword, to geue my infantes into praye, and virgins into captiuitie.

7   But our Lord omnipotent hath hurt him, and hath deliuered him into the hands of a woman, and hath pearsed him.

8   For, not by yongmen is their mightie one fallen, neither haue the sonnes of ^note Titan strooken him, neither did the high ^note giantes set them selues vpon him, but Iudith the daughter of Merari in the beautie of her face dissolued him.

9   For she put from her the garmentes of widowhood, and put on her the garmentes of ioy, in the reioysing of the children of Israel.

10   She anoynted her face with oyntment, and tyed together her lockes with a crowne, she tooke a new stole to deceiue him.

11   Her sandals rauished his eies, her beautie made his soule captiue, she with a sword cut of his head.

12   The Persians did quake at her constancie, and the Medes at her boldnesse.

13   Then did the campe of the Assyrians howle, when my humble ones appeared, withering in thirst.

14   The sonnes of yongwemen haue pearsed them, and they haue killed them as boyes fleing away: they haue perished in battel before the face of the Lord my God.

15   Let vs sing an hymne to our Lord, let vs sing a new hymne to our

God.

16   Adonai ô Lord great art thou, and noble in thy power, and whom no man can ouercome.

17   Let euerie creature of thyne serue thee: because thou saydst, and they were made: thou didst send thy spirit, and they were created, and there is none that can resist thy voyce.

18   The mountaynes with the waters shal be moued with the foundations: the rockes shal melt as waxe before thy face.

19   But they that feare thee, shal be great with thee in al thinges.

20   Wo be to the nation, that ryseth vp vpon my kinred: for our Lord omnipotent wil be reuenged on them, in the day of iudgement he wil visite them.

21   For he wil geue ^note fyre, and wormes into their flesh, that they may be burnt, and may feele for euer.

22   And it came to passe after these thinges, al the people after the victorie came into Ierusalem to adore our Lord: and forthwith as they were purified, they al offered holocaustes, and vowes, and their promises.

23   Moreouer Iudith offered for an anathema of obliuion al the instrumentes of warre of Holofernes, which the people gaue her, and the canopie that her self had taken away out of his chamber.

24   And the people was pleasant according to the face of sainctes, and for three monethes the ioy of this victorie was celebrated with Iudith.

25   And after those daies euerie man returned into his house, and Iudith was made great in Bethulia, and she was more glorious to al the land of Israel.

26   There was also chastitie ioyned to her vertue, ^note so that she knew not man al the daies of her life, 09Q0194 after that Manasses her husband was dead.

27   And on festiual daies she came forth with great glorie.

28   And she abode in her husbands house, ^note an hundred fiue yeares, and dismist her abra free, and she died and was buried with her husband in Bethulia.

29   And al the people mourned for her seuen dayes.

30   And in al the space of her life there was not that trubled Israel, and after her death manie yeares.

31   But the day of the festiuitie of this victorie is receiued of the Hebrewes in the number of holie daies, and is worshiped of the Iewes from that time vntil this present day. ^{note note}

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