Judi 8:9 (NRSV) {Judith and the Elders} When Judith heard the harsh words spoken
by the people against the ruler, because they were faint for lack of water,
and when she heard all that Uzziah said to them, and how he promised them under
oath to surrender the town to the Assyrians after five days, 10 she sent her
maid, who was in charge of all she possessed, to summon Uzziah and {Other ancient
authorities lack [Uzziah and] (see verses 28 and 35)} Chabris and Charmis, the
elders of her town. 11 They came to her, and she said to them:
""Listen to me, rulers of the people of Bethulia! What you have said
to the people today is not right; you have even sworn and pronounced this oath
between God and you, promising to surrender the town to our enemies unless the
Lord turns and helps us within so many days. 12 Who are you to put God to the
test today, and to set yourselves up in the place of {Or [above] } God in human
affairs? 13 You are putting the Lord Almighty to the test, but you will never
learn anything! 14 You cannot plumb the depths of the human heart or understand
the workings of the human mind; how do you expect to search out God, who made
all these things, and find out his mind or comprehend his thought? No, my brothers,
do not anger the Lord our God. 15 For if he does not choose to help us within
these five days, he has power to protect us within any time he pleases, or even
to destroy us in the presence of our enemies. 16 Do not try to bind the purposes
of the Lord our God; for God is not like a human being, to be threatened, or
like a mere mortal, to be won over by pleading. 17 Therefore, while we wait
for his deliverance, let us call upon him to help us, and he will hear our voice,
if it pleases him.
9:1 {The Prayer of Judith} Then Judith prostrated herself, put ashes on her head, and uncovered the sackcloth she was wearing. At the very time when the evening incense was being offered in the house of God in Jerusalem, Judith cried out to the Lord with a loud voice, and said,
7 "Here now are the Assyrians, a greatly increased force, priding themselves in their horses and riders, boasting in the strength of their foot soldiers, and trusting in shield and spear, in bow and sling. They do not know that you are the Lord who crushes wars; the Lord is your name. 8 Break their strength by your might, and bring down their power in your anger; for they intend to defile your sanctuary, and to pollute the tabernacle where your glorious name resides, and to break off the horns {Syr: Gk [horn] } of your altar with the sword. 9 Look at their pride, and send your wrath upon their heads. Give to me, a widow, the strong hand to do what I plan. 10 By the deceit of my lips strike down the slave with the prince and the prince with his servant; crush their arrogance by the hand of a woman.
Web Author: Charles Wohlers
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