Jdt 4:1 

Now the children of Israel, that dwelt in Judea, heard all 

that Holofernes the chief captain of Nabuchodonosor king of the 

Assyrians had done to the nations, and after what manner he had 

spoiled all their temples, and brought them to nought. 

Jdt 4:2 

Therefore they were exceedingly afraid of him, and were 

troubled for Jerusalem, and for the temple of the Lord their God: 

Jdt 4:3 

For they were newly returned from the captivity, and all the 

people of Judea were lately gathered together: and the vessels, 

and the altar, and the house, were sanctified after the 

profanation. 

Jdt 4:4 

Therefore they sent into all the coasts of Samaria, and the 

villages and to Bethoron, and Belmen, and Jericho, and to Choba, 

and Esora, and to the valley of Salem: 

Jdt 4:5 

And possessed themselves beforehand of all the tops of the 

high mountains, and fortified the villages that were in them, 

and laid up victuals for the provision of war: for their fields 

were of late reaped. 

Jdt 4:6 

Also Joacim the high priest, which was in those days in 

Jerusalem, wrote to them that dwelt in Bethulia, and 

Betomestham, which is over against Esdraelon toward the open 

country, near to Dothaim, 

Jdt 4:7 

Charging them to keep the passages of the hill country: for 

by them there was an entrance into Judea, and it was easy to 

stop them that would come up, because the passage was straight, 

for two men at the most. 

Jdt 4:8 

And the children of Israel did as Joacim the high priest had 

commanded them, with the ancients of all the people of Israel, 

which dwelt at Jerusalem. 

Jdt 4:9 

Then every man of Israel cried to God with great fervency, 

and with great vehemency did they humble their souls: 

Jdt 4:10 

Both they, and their wives and their children, and their 

cattle, and every stranger and hireling, and their servants 

bought with money, put sackcloth upon their loins. 

Jdt 4:11 

Thus every man and women, and the little children, and the 

inhabitants of Jerusalem, fell before the temple, and cast ashes 

upon their heads, and spread out their sackcloth before the face 

of the Lord: also they put sackcloth about the altar, 

Jdt 4:12 

And cried to the God of Israel all with one consent 

earnestly, that he would not give their children for a prey, and 

their wives for a spoil, and the cities of their inheritance to 

destruction, and the sanctuary to profanation and reproach, and 

for the nations to rejoice at. 

Jdt 4:13 

So God heard their prayers, and looked upon their 

afflictions: for the people fasted many days in all Judea and 

Jerusalem before the sanctuary of the Lord Almighty. 

Jdt 4:14 

And Joacim the high priest, and all the priests that stood 

before the Lord, and they which ministered unto the Lord, had 

their loins girt with sackcloth, and offered the daily burnt 

offerings, with the vows and free gifts of the people, 

Jdt 4:15 

And had ashes on their mitres, and cried unto the Lord with 

all their power, that he would look upon all the house of Israel 

graciously.