NOW at that time Yahudith heard thereof, which was the daughter of Merariy, the son of Ox, the son of Yoceph, the son of Uzal, the son of Elkyahu, the son of Chananyahu, the son of Gid'on, the son of Rapha'iym, the son of Achiytuv, the son of Eliyhu, the son of Eliy'av, the son of Nethan'el, the son of Sama'el, the son of Salasadal, the son of Yashar'el.
And Menashsheh was her man, of her tribe and kindred, who died in the barley harvest.
For as he stood overseeing them that bound sheaves in the field, the heat came upon his head, and he fell on his bed, and died in the city of Beyt Ulyah: and they buried him with his fathers in the field between Dothaiym and Balamo.
So Yahudith was a widow in her house three years and four months.
And she made her a tent upon the top of her house, and put on sackcloth upon her loins and ware her widow's apparel.
And she fasted all the days of her widowhood, save the eves of the Shabbaths, and the Shabbaths, and the eves of the New Moons, and the New Moons and the feasts and solemn days of the house of Yashar'el.
She was also of a goodly countenance, and very beautiful to behold: and her man Menashsheh had left her gold, and silver, and menservants and maidservants, and cattle, and lands; and she remained upon them.
And there was none that gave her an ill word; and she feared Elohiym greatly.
Now when she heard the evil words of the people against the governor, that they fainted for lack of water; for Yahudith had heard all the words that Uzziyahu had spoken unto them, and that he had sworn to deliver the city unto Ashshur after five days;
Then she sent her waitingwoman, that had the government of all things that she had, to call Uzziyahu and Chabris and Charmis, the ancients of the city.
And they came unto her, and she said unto them, Hear me now, O ye governors of the inhabitants of Beyt Ulyah: for your words that ye have spoken before the people this day are not right, touching this oath which ye made and pronounced between Elohiym and you, and have promised to deliver the city to our enemies, unless within these days Yahuah turn to help you.
And now who are ye that have tempted Elohiym this day, and stand instead of Elohiym among the children of men?
And now try Yahuah Tseva'oth, but ye shall never know anything.
For ye cannot find the depth of the heart of man, neither can ye perceive the things that he thinks: then how can ye search out Elohiym, that has made all these things, and know his mind, or comprehend his purpose? Nay, my brethren, provoke not Yahuah Elohaynu to anger.
For if he will not help us within these five days, he has power to defend us when he will, even every day, or to destroy us before our enemies.
Do not bind the counsels of Yahuah Elohaynu: for Elohiym is not as man, that he may be threatened; neither is he as the son of A'dam, that he should be wavering.
Therefore let us wait for the yeshu`ah of him, and call upon him to help us, and he will hear our voice, if it please him.
For there arose none in our age, neither is there any now in these days neither tribe, nor family, nor people, nor city among us, which worship elohiym made with hands, as has been aforetime.
For the which cause our fathers were given to the sword, and for a spoil, and had a great fall before our enemies.
But we know no other elohiym, therefore we trust that he will not dispise us, nor any of our nation.
For if we be taken so, all Yahudah shall lie waste, and our sanctuary shall be spoiled; and he will require the profanation thereof at our mouth.
And the slaughter of our brethren, and the captivity of the country, and the desolation of our inheritance, will he turn upon our heads among the other nations, wheresoever we shall be in bondage; and we shall be an offence and a reproach to all them that possess us.
For our servitude shall not be directed to favor: but Yahuah Elohaynu shall turn it to dishonor.
Now therefore, O brethren, let us show an example to our brethren, because their hearts depend upon us, and the sanctuary, and the house, and the altar, rest upon us.
Moreover let us give thanks to Yahuah Elohaynu, which tries us, even as he did our fathers.
Remember what things he did to Avraham, and how he tried Yitschaq, and what happened to Ya`aqov in Aram Naharayim of Aram, when he kept the sheep of Lavan his mother's brother.
For he has not tried us in the fire, as he did them, for the examination of their hearts, neither has he taken vengeance on us: but Yahuah scourges them that come near unto him, to admonish them.
Then said Uzziyahu to her, All that you have spoken have you spoken with a good heart, and there is none that may gainsay your words.
For this is not the first day wherein your wisdom is manifested; but from the beginning of your days all the people have known your understanding, because the disposition of your heart is good.
But the people were very thirsty, and compelled us to do unto them as we have spoken, and to bring an oath upon ourselves, which we will not break.
Therefore now pray for us, because you are a righteous woman, and Yahuah will send us rain to fill our cisterns, and we shall faint no more.
Then said Yahudith unto them, Hear me, and I will do a thing, which shall go throughout all generations to the children of our nation.
Ye shall stand this night in the gate, and I will go forth with my waitingwoman: and within the days that ye have promised to deliver the city to our enemies Yahuah will visit Yashar'el by my hand.
But enquire not ye of my act: for I will not declare it unto you, till the things be finished that I do.
Then said Uzziyahu and the princes unto her, Go in peace, and Yahuah Elohiym be before you, to take vengeance on our enemies.
So they returned from the tent, and went to their wards.