1 When it was late in the evening, the servants hurried out. Then Bagoas left and closed Holofernes' tent from the outside and ordered the servants to stay out. The meal had lasted such a long time that all the servants were exhausted and went straight to bed.
2 Judith was alone with Holofernes in his tent, but he was so drunk that he was sound asleep on his bed.
3 Judith's servant woman was standing outside the tent, because Judith had asked her to wait there until it was time for Judith to pray. Judith had also told Bagoas that she would be leaving camp, just as she had done the past three nights.
4 Now that all the servants and guests had gone home, Judith walked over and stood by the bed and whispered, “Lord God All-Powerful, help me with what I'm about to do, so that Jerusalem will be honored.
5 It is now the time for you to rescue your people Israel and carry out my plan to defeat the enemies who are attacking us.”
6 She walked to the bedpost nearest Holofernes' head and took down his sword that was hanging there.
7 She moved closer to him and grabbed him by his hair, while praying, “Lord God of Israel, give me the strength to do this!”