Judith Prays for God's Help

1Judith put ashes on her head and removed her robe, uncovering the pieces of sackcloth she was wearing under her widow's clothes. She then bowed with her face to the ground. The time was early evening, exactly when the incense was being offered on the altar in the Jerusalem temple. Judith prayed in a loud voice:

2 Our Lord God, my ancestor Simeon worshiped you, and so you helped him take revenge on the evil foreigners who violently abused and disgraced Dinah. They ripped off her clothes and raped an innocent virgin, though you had said that sort of thing should never be done. 3That's why you let their rulers be killed in the very bed where they raped Dinah. All the officials of those foreigners were destroyed, and even their servants. 4Their wives were raped, and their children were carried off to become slaves. Dinah's relatives were furious and were eager to take revenge on the foreigners who had disgraced their family, and so they called on you for help. That's why you let the Israelites carry off the wealth of those foreigners.

Lord God, I am a widow. Please listen to my prayer. 5I know you caused all of these things to happen, and everything else as well. You control what is happening now and what will take place in the future, 6because everything happens according to your plan. You always know ahead of time what you will do and what decisions you will make.

7The Assyrian troops that are now attacking us are more powerful than ever. They are constantly bragging about their strong cavalry and mighty soldiers who trust in swords, shields, bows, and slings to win their wars. They don't realize that you are the Lord, a warrior who always wins. 8 So, in your anger, use your strength to completely destroy their army. Those Assyrians plan to disgrace the temple where you are worshiped and to chop off the corners of your altar with their swords.

9You've seen how arrogant those Assyrians are. Destroy them in your anger, and give me, a widow, the strength to do what I have planned. 10Use my deceit to slaughter the Assyrian rulers and their slaves, and let my strength crush their pride. 11Your power doesn't depend on mighty armies. You are a God who cares for and protects the weak and helpless, and you rescue those who have given up hope. 12You are the ruler of everything in heaven and on earth, and you created all rivers and oceans. And you are the God my ancestors worshiped, so please hear my sincere prayer. 13 Help me carry out my deceitful plan to wound and kill our enemies, who have plotted evil against your agreement with us and your holy temple, and against Mount Zion and the land you have given your people. 14Let every tribe in your nation of Israel know for certain that you are God All-Powerful and that you alone protect Israel.