Judith 8:22-24

Good News Translation

²² He will hold us responsible for the slaughter and captivity of our people and for the destruction of the land we have inherited. We will be despised and mocked by the people in those nations to which we will be taken as slaves. ²³ We are not going to win the favor of our enemies by surrendering to them now.^[a] If we do surrender, the Lord our God will see that we are put to shame.

²⁴ No, my friends, we should set an example for our own people. Not only their lives, but the fate of the Temple and the altar depend on us.