22. He will bring the murder of our families, the captivity of the land, and the destruction of our inheritance down upon our heads, wherever we may be enslaved among the nations. Those who purchase us as slaves will consider us offensive and disgraceful.
23. Our slavery won’t bring us favor. Rather, the Lord our God will turn it into a disgrace.
24. "Now, brothers, let us be an example to those whose lives depend on us. The sanctuary, the temple, and the altar depend on us as well.
25. In the midst of all this, let us give thanks to the Lord our God, who is testing us just as he did our ancestors.
26. Remember what he did with Abraham, how he tested Isaac, and what happened to Jacob while he was in Mesopotamia of Syria, tending his uncle Laban’s sheep?
27. He hasn’t yet tested us with fire, as he did them to examine their hearts, nor has he taken vengeance upon us. Rather, the Lord afflicts those close to him in order to warn them."
28. Uzziah said to her: "You have spoken all this from a genuine heart, and no one disagrees with your words.
29. Today isn’t the first time you have demonstrated your wisdom. Since your earliest days, all the people have observed your insight and the goodness of your heart.
30. But the people are very thirsty, and they strongly urged us to do what we promised them, and to make a solemn promise that we can’t break.
31. You are a godly woman. So pray for us, and the Lord will send rain to fill our reservoirs, and we won’t die."
32. Judith said to them: "Listen to me. I’m going to do something that will be remembered for generations to come.