Part 295 (2/2)

8:14. But forasmuch as the Lord is patient, let us be penitent for this same thing, and with many tears let us beg his pardon:

8:15. For G.o.d will not threaten like man, nor be inflamed to anger like the son of man.

8:16. And therefore let us humble our souls before him, and continuing in an humble spirit, in his service:

8:17. Let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would shew his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also we may glorify in our humility.

8:18. For we have not followed the sins of our fathers, who forsook their G.o.d, and wors.h.i.+pped strange G.o.ds.

8:19. For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword, and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other G.o.d but him.

8:20. Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our G.o.d will require our blood of the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble all the nations that shall rise up against us, and bring them to disgrace.

8:21. And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of G.o.d, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they might be proved, whether they wors.h.i.+pped their G.o.d truly.

8:22. They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of G.o.d.

8:23. So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased G.o.d, pa.s.sed through many tribulations, remaining faithful.

8:24. But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord,

8:25. Were destroyed by the destroyer, and perished by serpents.

8:26. As for us therefore let us not revenge ourselves for these things which we suffer.

8:27. But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for our amendment, and not for our destruction.

8:28. And Ozias and the ancients said to her: All things which thou hast spoken are true, and there is nothing to be reprehended in thy words.

8:29. Now therefore pray for us, for thou art a holy woman, and one fearing G.o.d.

8:30. And Judith said to them: As you know that what I have been able to say is of G.o.d:

8:31. So that which I intend to do prove ye if it be of G.o.d, and pray that G.o.d may strengthen my design.

8:32. You shall stand at the gate this night, and I will go out with my maidservant: and pray ye, that as you have said, in five days the Lord may look down upon his people Israel.

8:33. But I desire that you search not into what I am doing, and till I bring you word let nothing else be done but to pray for me to the Lord our G.o.d.

8:34. And Ozias the prince of Juda said to her: Go in peace, and the Lord be with thee to take revenge of our enemies. So returning they departed.

Judith Chapter 9

Judith's prayer, to beg of G.o.d to fortify her in her undertaking.

9:1. And when they were gone, Judith went into her oratory: and putting on haircloth, laid ashes on her head: and falling down prostrate before the Lord, she cried to the Lord, saying:

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