Judith 15

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 When the men who were stil in their tents heard the news they were appal ed.	1 And when the entire army had heard that Holofernes was beheaded, reason and resolution fled from them, and, being moved by trembling and fear alone, they thought only to flee to safety.
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 So then, no one spoke with his neighbor, but hanging their heads and leaving everything behind, they hurried to escape from the Hebrews, who, as they had heard, were advancing against them well-armed. And they fled through the ways of the fields and the paths of the hills.
3 The men who had been bivouacking in the mountains round Bethulia were fleeing too. Then al theIsraelite warriors charged down on them.	3 And so, the sons of Israel, seeing them fleeing, pursued them. And they went down after them, sounding the trumpets and howling.
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 And, since the Assyrians were not united, they rushed headlong in their flight. But the sons of Israel, pursuing like one unit, struck down all they were able to find.
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 And so, Uzziah sent messengers through all the cities and regions of Israel.
6 Al the other inhabitants of Bethulia fel on the Assyrian camp and looted it to their great profit.	6 And then, every region and every city sent their chosen young men with weapons after them, and they pursued them with the edge of the sword, until they passed through to the extremities of their borders.
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 But the remainder, who were in Bethulia, entered the camp of the Assyrians and took away the plunder that the Assyrians, in their flight, had left behind, and they were exceedingly burdened.
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 In truth, those who returned victorious to Bethulia brought with them everything that was theirs. So there was no numbering their cattle, and beasts, and everything they could carry, so much so that, from the least to the greatest, all were made rich by their spoils.
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 But Joachim, the high priest, came from Jerusalem to Bethulia with all his elders to see Judith.
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 And when she had gone out to him, they all blessed her with one voice, saying: “You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you are the honor of our people.
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 For you have acted manfully, and your heart has been strengthened. For you loved chastity, and, after your husband, you have not known any other. Therefore, also the hand of the Lord has strengthened you, and, therefore, you will be blessed for all eternity.”
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 And all the people said: “Amen. Amen.”
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 But all of thirty days were scarcely enough for the people of Israel to collect the spoils of the Assyrians.
14 With all Israel round her, Judith broke into this song of thanksgiving and the whole people sang thishymn:	14 But moreover, all of those things that were clearly the particular possessions of Holofernes they gave to Judith: with gold, and silver, and garments, and gems, and furniture. And these were all delivered to her by the people.
	15 And all the people rejoiced, with the women, and the virgins, and the young men, playing on wind instruments and stringed instruments.