Judith 15

How to read these pages: the text itself comes first, verse by verse, in the volume's own translation. Beneath each verse stands its Meaning — a rendering of what the passage's terms name in the inner life, drawn from the correspondences the text itself uses. The text is never altered; the meaning is offered, not imposed.

King James Version

1And when they that were in the tents heard, they were astonished at the thing that was done.

And when they that were in the tents heard, they were astonished at the thing that was done — astonishment running through the camp as her coming once ran through it: the same tents, the opposite tidings.

2And 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.

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 — the host dissolving by its own cohesion in reverse: no man able to bear his neighbour's face, each fleeing by every way at once. The multitude that was without number is now without order.

3They 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.

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 — the ring of the siege breaking outward, and the besieged rushing into the gap: the thirsty of yesterday the pursuers of this morning.

4Then 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.

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 — messengers carrying not a request but a report: tell what is done, and let the telling itself summon the pursuit.

5Now 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.

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 — the established center of spiritual consciousness — 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 — the rugged hill of witness — and in Galilee — the circuit of the outer faculties — chased them with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and the borders thereof: the whole land rising at the report, center and circuit together, and the flight chased beyond the border it entered by.

6And the residue that dwelt at Bethulia, fell upon the camp of Assur, and spoiled them, and were greatly enriched.

And the residue that dwelt at Bethulia fell upon the camp of Assur, and spoiled them, and were greatly enriched — the remnant of the starved city falling on the stocked camp: the vessels of the besiegers answering the empty cisterns, measure for measure reversed.

7And 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.

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 — the spoil proportioned to the host that brought it: what a hundred and seventy thousand carried in, a hill country carried home.

8Then 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.

Then Joacim the high priest — the chief mediating faculty — and the ancients of the children of Israel that dwelt at Jerusalem, came to behold the good things that God had showed to Israel, and to see Judith, and to salute her: the center coming out to the hill town: Jerusalem descending, for once, to Bethulia, to behold and to salute.

9And 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:

And when they came unto her, they blessed her with one accord, and said unto her: You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great glory of Israel — the manifested weight of the Presence in the nation — you are the great rejoicing of our nation: three titles laid on the widow by the whole priesthood and eldership in one voice: the rooftop tent receiving the sanctuary's procession.

10Thou 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.

You have done all these things by your hand: You have done much good to Israel, and God is pleased therewith: blessed be you of the Almighty Lord for evermore. And all the people said, So be it — the hand confessed as the instrument, as her prayer confessed it: by your hand. And the people's So be it answering Amen with Amen.

11And 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.

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 — thirty days of spoiling against thirty-four of siege: the tent of the captain awarded entire to the woman who lodged in it, plate and beds and vessels loaded on her own carts without ceremony.

12Then 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.

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 — the women running together as the men ran to the gate: the dance made among them, and the branches shared out of her hand.

13And 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.

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 — the olive, token that peace and life are returning, crowning mistress and maid together; the deliverer leading the dance, and the armed men following behind the women with songs: the order of the procession itself preaching the book.

Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.