Judith 6

1 And they compassed their towns with walls and gathered together corn for provision for war. 2 And Eliachim the priest wrote to all that were over against Esdrelon, which faceth the great plain near Dothain, and to all by whom there might be a passage of way, 3 that they should take possession of the ascents of the mountains, by which there might be any way to Jerusalem, and should keep watch where the way was narrow between the mountains. 4 And the children of Israel did as the priests of the Lord Eliachim had appointed them. 5 And all the people cried to the Lord with great earnestness, and they humbled their souls in fastings, and prayers, both they and their wives. 6 And the priests put on haircloths, and they caused the little children to lie prostrate before the temple of the Lord, and the altar of the Lord they covered with haircloth. 7 And they cried to the Lord the God of Israel with one accord, that their children might not be made a prey, and their wives carried off, and their cities destroyed, and their holy things profaned, and that they might not be made a reproach to the Gentiles. 8 Then Eliachim the high priest of the Lord went about all Israel and spoke to them, 9 Saying: Know ye that the Lord will hear your prayers, if you continue with perseverance in fastings and prayers in the sight of the Lord. 10 Remember Moses the servant of the Lord overcame Amalec that trusted in his own strength, and in his power, and in his army, and in his shields, and in his chariots, and in his horsemen, not by fighting with the sword, but by holy prayers: 11 So all the enemies of Israel be, if you persevere in this work which you have begun. 12 So they being moved by this exhortation of his, prayed to the Lord, and continued in the sight of the Lord. 13 So that even they who offered the holocausts to the Lord, offered the sacrifices to the Lord girded with haircloths, and with ashes upon their head. 14 And they all begged of God with all their heart, that he would visit his people Israel. 16 And it was told Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, that the children of Israel prepared themselves to resist, and had shut up the ways of the mountains. 17 And he was transported with exceeding great fury and indignation, and he called all the princes of Moab and the leaders of Ammon. 18 And he said to them: Tell me what is this people that besetteth the mountains: or what are their cities, and of what sort, and how great: also what is their power, or what is their multitude: or who is the king over their warfare: 19 And why they above all that dwell in the east, have despised us, and have not come out to meet us, that they might receive us with peace? 20 Then Achior captain of all the children of Ammon answering, said; If thou vouchsafe, my lord, to hear, I will tell the truth in thy sight concerning this people, that dwelleth in the mountains, and there shall not a false word come out of my mouth. 21 This people is of the offspring of the Chaldeans.