Judith 8:9-11

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Judith and the Elders

⁹ When Judith heard the harsh words spoken by the people against the ruler, because they were faint for lack of water, and when she heard all that Uzziah said to them, and how he promised them under oath to surrender the town to the Assyrians after five days, ¹⁰ she sent her maid, who was in charge of all she possessed, to summon Uzziah and^[a] Chabris and Charmis, the elders of her town. ¹¹ They came to her, and she said to them:

“Listen to me, rulers of the people of Bethulia! What you have said to the people today is not right; you have even sworn and pronounced this oath between God and you, promising to surrender the town to our enemies unless the Lord turns and helps us within so many days.