1 After Judith finished praying to the God of Israel,
2 she got up and called for her servant woman. Then Judith left her rooftop shelter and went down into her house, where she stayed on Sabbath days and during religious festivals.
3 After taking off her widow's clothes and the pieces of sackcloth, she took a bath. She put on expensive perfume, then brushed her hair and put on a fancy headband. Judith dressed in the beautiful clothes she had worn for celebrations when her husband Manasseh was alive.
4 She put on sandals and all kinds of jewelry, including rings and earrings, as well as bracelets for her ankles and wrists. Judith made sure she was beautiful enough to get the attention of every man who saw her.
5 Judith gave her servant a leather bottle of wine and a small jar of olive oil, then filled a bag with roasted grain, dried figs, and her best bread. Finally, she carefully wrapped up her dishes and gave them to the servant.
6 Together the two women left the house and walked to the gate of Bethulia, where they found Uzziah, the town leader, with Chabris and Charmis, the other two leaders.