Old Testament · Deuterocanonical
The Book of Judith
The Book of Judith is the eighteenth of the 46 books of the Old Testament, and one of its 7 deuterocanonical books: 16 chapters and 345 verses.
About Judith
About Judith · Heroic tale
Judith tells how a widow of Israel, beautiful and fearless, delivered her besieged town by walking into the enemy camp and beheading its general. Its unknown author wrote long after the events it stages, mixing eras deliberately, which signals that it is a crafted story about faith rather than a chronicle. It belongs to the deuterocanonical books of the Catholic canon and was written to embolden a small people under pressure: God can save by the hand of the weakest, and courage joined to prayer is never wasted. The Church has long seen in Judith a figure of Mary.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 18 of 46, 18 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Deuterocanonical |
| Chapters | 16 |
| Verses | 345, as Bless numbers them |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, 15 of 16 chapters |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 16 chapters · 7 notes |
| Catechism | 1 paragraph cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 16 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Judith 1
12 versesNabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians overcometh Arphaxad king of the Medes.
Judith 2
18 versesNabuchodonosor sendeth Holofernes to waste the countries of the west.
Judith 3
15 versesMany submit themselves to Holofernes. He destroyeth their cities, and their gods, that Nabuchodonosor only might be called God.
Judith 4
17 versesThe children of Israel prepare themselves to resist Holofernes. They cry to the Lord for help.
Judith 5
29 versesAchior gives Holofernes an account of the people of Israel.
Judith 6
21 versesHolofernes in great rage sendeth Achior to Bethulia, there to be slain with the Israelites.
Judith 7
25 versesHolofernes besiegeth Bethulia. The distress of the besieged.
Judith 8
34 versesThe character of Judith: her discourse to the ancients.
Judith 9
19 versesJudith's prayer, to beg of God to fortify her in her undertaking.
Judith 10
20 versesJudith goeth out towards the camp, and is taken, and brought to Holofernes.
Judith 11
21 versesJudith's speech to Holofernes.
Judith 12
20 versesJudith goeth out in the night to pray: she is invited to a banquet with Holofernes.
Judith 13
31 versesJudith cutteth off the head of Holofernes, and returneth to Bethulia.
Judith 14
18 versesThe Israelites assault the Assyrians, who finding their general slain, are seized with a panic fear.
Judith 15
15 versesThe Assyrians flee: the Hebrews pursue after them, and are enriched by their spoils.
Judith 16
31 versesThe canticle of Judith: her virtuous life and death.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Judith is read at the principal Mass on 1 day in the US calendar. The next 2 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of Guadalupe | Responsorial Psalm | Judith 13:18bcde, 19 | |
| computed | Our Lady of Guadalupe | Responsorial Psalm | Judith 13:18bcde, 19 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.