Judith Rebukes the Elders

Judith heard the wicked words spoken by the people against Uzziah. She sent her maid who was in charge of all she possessed to summon Shabris and Charmis, the elders of her city. They came to her and she said to them, Listen to me, rulers of the people of Betheliah. What you have said to the people today is not right. You have even sworn and pronounced this oath between God and you promising to surrender the city to our enemies unless the Lord turns and helps us within so many days. Do not provoke the Lord our God to anger, for if he does not choose to help us within these five days, he has power to protect us