With chapter viii. Judith is introduced; first her genealogy is given, she belongs to the tribe of Simeon; then other details are mentioned. She has been a widow for three years and four months; her husband, Manasses, died of sunstroke; he had left his widow “gold, and silver, and menservants, and maidservants, and cattle, and lands.” Judith is a devout woman, and strict in her religious observances; her great beauty is often insisted upon, and she is also endowed with much wisdom. On her hearing of what had happened, she sends her maid to the elders of the city, Ozias, Chabris, and Charmis, inviting them to her house; they come, and Judith addresses them at some length, the gist of her words being that they have been wrong in promising to deliver up the city in five days, because in doing so they have shown their want of faith in God; moreover, if Bethulia is taken it will mean the utter downfall of the people, and the profanation of the sanctuary. So she urges them to be an example to the people by showing unwavering trust in God. They commend her words, and beg her to pray to God for rain, that the cisterns may be filled and the people obtain refreshment. But Judith replies: “Hear me, and I will do a thing, which shall go down to all generations among the children of our race.” She does not tell them what she is going to do, but only says that God will use her as an instrument of deliverance before the five days are out (viii.). The whole of the next chapter is taken up with Judith’s prayer to God in preparation for what she is about to undertake. Judith now goes with her maid to the camp of Holofernes; everyone is struck with her beauty, and she is well received, Holofernes especially being very gracious to her. She then declares to him the purpose of her coming, which is for nothing less than the betrayal of her people. She skilfully uses the argument which Achior had used, namely that as long as her people are faithful to God it will not be possible to overcome them, but if they do anything to anger Him, then He will forsake them. This, she tells him, is true; but what Achior did not know, that she has come to tell, and it is this: the Israelites are about to do something which will bring down upon them the wrath of God; being in dire straits they are going to eat sanctified food, which is contrary to the Law; they are merely waiting to receive licence to do this from the authorities in Jerusalem, where the same thing has already been done, and as soon as they receive the permission they will transgress the Law; then will be Holofernes’ chance. So Judith says she will go forth each night, and will pray to God Who will tell her as soon as the people have committed their sins; “and I will come and show it also unto thee; and thou shalt go forth with all thy host, and there shall be none of them that shall resist thee. And I will lead thee through the midst of Judæa, until thou comest over against Jerusalem;