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Giovedi, 2 maggio 2024 - Sant´ Atanasio ( Letture di oggi)

Judith 15


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NEW JERUSALEMKING JAMES BIBLE
1 When the men who were stil in their tents heard the news they were appal ed.1 And when they that were in the tents heard, they were astonished at the thing that was done.
2 Panic-stricken and trembling, no two of them could keep together, the rout was complete, with oneaccord they fled along every track across the plain or through the mountains.2 And fear and trembling fell upon them, so that there was no man that durst abide in the sight of his neighbour, but rushing out all together, they fled into every way of the plain, and of the hill country.
3 The men who had been bivouacking in the mountains round Bethulia were fleeing too. Then al theIsraelite warriors charged down on them.3 They also that had camped in the mountains round about Bethulia fled away. Then the children of Israel, every one that was a warrior among them, rushed out upon them.
4 Uzziah sent messengers to Betomasthaim, Bebai, Choba, Kola, throughout the whole territory of Israel,to inform them of what had happened and to urge them al to hurl themselves on the enemy and annihilate them.4 Then sent Ozias to Betomasthem, and to Bebai, and Chobai, and Cola and to all the coasts of Israel, such as should tell the things that were done, and that all should rush forth upon their enemies to destroy them.
5 As soon as the Israelites heard the news, they fel on them as one man and massacred them al theway to Choba. The men of Jerusalem and the entire mountain country also ral ied to them, once they had beeninformed of the events in the enemy camp. Then the men of Gilead and Galilee attacked them on the flank andstruck at them fiercely till they neared Damascus and its territory.5 Now when the children of Israel heard it, they all fell upon them with one consent, and slew them unto Chobai: likewise also they that came from Jerusalem, and from all the hill country, (for men had told them what things were done in the camp of their enemies) and they that were in Galaad, and in Galilee, chased them with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and the borders thereof.
6 Al the other inhabitants of Bethulia fel on the Assyrian camp and looted it to their great profit.6 And the residue that dwelt at Bethulia, fell upon the camp of Assur, and spoiled them, and were greatly enriched.
7 The Israelites returning from the slaughter seized what was left. The hamlets and vil ages of themountain country and the plain also captured a great deal of booty, since there were vast stores of it.7 And the children of Israel that returned from the slaughter had that which remained; and the villages and the cities, that were in the mountains and in the plain, gat many spoils: for the multitude was very great.
8 Joakim the high priest and the entire Council of Elders of Israel, who were in Jerusalem, came to gazeon the benefits that the Lord had lavished on Israel and to see Judith and congratulate her.8 Then Joacim the high priest, and the ancients of the children of Israel that dwelt in Jerusalem, came to behold the good things that God had shewed to Israel, and to see Judith, and to salute her.
9 On coming to her house, they blessed her with one accord, saying: You are the glory of Jerusalem!You are the great pride of Israel! You are the highest honour of our race!9 And when they came unto her, they blessed her with one accord, and said unto her, Thou art the exaltation of Jerusalem, thou art the great glory of Israel, thou art the great rejoicing of our nation:
10 By doing all this with your own hand you have deserved wel of Israel, and God has approved whatyou have done. May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty in al the days to come! And the people al said,'Amen!'10 Thou hast done all these things by thine hand: thou hast done much good to Israel, and God is pleased therewith: blessed be thou of the Almighty Lord for evermore. And all the people said, So be it.
11 The people looted the camp for thirty days. They gave Judith the tent of Holofernes, al his silver plate,his divans, his drinking bowls and all his furniture. She took this, loaded her mule, harnessed her carts andheaped the things into them.11 And the people spoiled the camp the space of thirty days: and they gave unto Judith Holofernes his tent, and all his plate, and beds, and vessels, and all his stuff: and she took it and laid it on her mule; and made ready her carts, and laid them thereon.
12 Al the women of Israel, hurrying to see her, formed choirs of dancers in her honour. Judith tookwands of vine-leaves in her hand and distributed them to the women who accompanied her;12 Then all the women of Israel ran together to see her, and blessed her, and made a dance among them for her: and she took branches in her hand, and gave also to the women that were with her.
13 she and her companions put on wreaths of olive. Then she took her place at the head of theprocession and led the women as they danced. Al the men of Israel, armed and garlanded, followed them,singing hymns.13 And they put a garland of olive upon her and her maid that was with her, and she went before all the people in the dance, leading all the women: and all the men of Israel followed in their armour with garlands, and with songs in their mouths.
14 With all Israel round her, Judith broke into this song of thanksgiving and the whole people sang thishymn:14 []