hat according to his will so he
would shew his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their
pride, so also we may glorify in our humility.
8:18. For we have not followed the sins of our fathers, who forsook
their God, and worshipped strange gods.
8:19. For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword,
and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other God but him.
8:20. Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our God will
require our blood of the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble
all the nations that shall rise up against us, and bring them to
disgrace.
8:21. And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of
God, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your
speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they
might be proved, whether they worshipped their God truly.
8:22. They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being
proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God.
8:23. So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased God,
passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful.
8:24. But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the
Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring
against the Lord,
8:25. Were destroyed by the destroyer, and perished by serpents.
8:26. As for us therefore let us not revenge ourselves for these things
which we suffer.
8:27. But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins
deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like
servants we are chastised, have happened for our amendment, and not for
our destruction.
8:28. And Ozias and the ancients said to her: All things which thou hast
spoken are true, and there is nothing to be reprehended in thy words.
8:29. Now therefore pray for us, for thou art a holy woman, and one
fearing God.
8:30. And Judith said to them: As you know that what I have been able to
say is of God:
8:31. So that which I intend to do prove ye if it be of God, and pray
that God may strengthen my design.
8:32. You shall stand at the gate this night, and I will go out with my
maidservant: and pray ye, that as you have said, in five days the Lord
may look down upon his people Israel.
8:33. But I desire that you search not into what I am doing, and till I
bring you word let nothing else be done but to pray for me to the Lord
our God.
|