1When those who were in the tents heard, they were astounded at what had happened.
2Trembling and fear fell upon them, and no one stood his ground beside his neighbor any longer; but pouring out all together, they fled on every road of the plain and of the hill country.
3Those who were encamped in the hill country around Bethulia also turned to flight. Then the sons of Israel—every fighting man among them—poured out upon them.
4And Uzziah sent messengers to Betomasthaim, Chobai, and Chola, and to every region of Israel, to announce what had been accomplished and so that all might pour out upon the enemy for their destruction.
5When the sons of Israel heard, they all fell upon them with one accord and struck them down as far as Choba. Likewise, those from Jerusalem and from all the hill country also arrived, for what had happened in the camp of their enemies had been reported to them. And the men of Gilead and Galilee outflanked them with a great slaughter, until they had passed Damascus and its borders.
6But the remaining inhabitants of Bethulia fell upon the camp of Asshur and plundered it, and they became exceedingly rich.
7And the sons of Israel, when they returned from the slaughter, took possession of what remained. The villages and farmsteads in the hill country and in the plain also seized much spoil, for the quantity was exceedingly great.
8Then Joakim the high priest and the council of elders of the sons of Israel, who lived in Jerusalem, came to see the good things the Lord had done for Israel, and to see Judith and to greet her.
9When they came to her, they all blessed her with one accord and said to her, ‘You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great pride of Israel, you are the great boast of our nation!’
10You have done all these things with your own hand; you have done good for Israel, and God was well-pleased with these deeds. May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty forever.’ And all the people said, ‘Amen!’
11All the people plundered the camp for thirty days. They gave Judith the tent of Holofernes and all his silver articles, his couches, his bowls, and all his furnishings. And she took these things and loaded them on her mule; then she yoked her wagons and piled the goods on them.
12And every woman of Israel ran together to see her. They blessed her and formed a dance in her honor from among themselves. She took wands in her hands and gave them to the women with her,
13and she and those with her crowned themselves with olive wreaths. She went before all the people in the dance, leading all the women, and every man of Israel followed, armed and wearing garlands, with hymns on their lips.
14And Judith led this song of thanksgiving in the midst of all Israel, and all the people sang out this song of praise:
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