Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/359

 down on  their  couches,  they  fell  into  a death-like  sleep. Then Judith resolved  to  strike  the  decisive  blow  that  was  to  save  her country and  her  people.

She besought  God,  saying:  “Strengthen  me,  O Lord  God  of Israel,  and  in  this  hour  look  upon  the  works  of  my  hands,  that  I may  bring  to  pass  that  which  I have  purposed,  having  a belief that it  might  be  done  by  Thee.”  Then  she  moved  softly  towards the tent  of  Holofernes. And taking  his  sword,  which  hung  from a pillar near  by,  she  drew  it  from  its  scabbard,  raised  it  aloft, and, at  the  second  stroke,  cut  off  the  head  of  the  sleeping  tyrant. She then  gave  the  head  to  her  maid,  who  waited  without,  and bade her  put  it  into  her  wallet.

Departing from  the  camp,  she  returned  with  her  servant  to Bethulia,  and  having  assembled  the  people,  showed  them  the  head of Holofernes,  saying:  “Praise  ye  the  Lord  our  God,  who  hath killed the  enemy  of  His  people  by  my  hand. His angel  hath  been my keeper  and  hath  brought  me  back  to  you.”  Then  Ozias,  the prince of  the  people  of  Israel,  said  to  her:  “Blessed  art  thou, O daughter of  the  Lord,  the  Most  High  God,  above  all  the  women upon the  earth.”  Then  the  people,  praising  God,  rushed  towards the camp  of  the  Assyrians. The guards,  terrified  and  confused, made a great  noise  at  the  door  of  their  generals  tent  in  order to awaken  him.

But finding  their  efforts  useless  they  at  length  ventured  to enter  the  tent,  and  seeing  the  headless  body  of  their  mighty  general weltering in  blood,  they  were  seized  with  fear  and  fled  in  haste , crying out  that  Holofernes  was  slain. A great confusion  ensued, and the  people  of  Bethulia  had  only  to  complete  the  work  commenced by  Judith,  and  take  possession  of  the  Assyrian  camp  with its rich  spoils.

Then the  Jewish  people,  turning  to  Judith,  sang  with  one accord: “Thou  art  the  glory  of  Jerusalem;  thou  art  the  joy  of Israel;  thou  art  the  honour  of  our  people.”  The  rejoicings  following