Judith 4:13

In context

11Every man of Israel, and the women, and the children, all who lived in Jerusalem, fell face down in front of the temple, covered their heads with ashes, and stretched out their sackcloth in the Lord’s presence. 12They wrapped the altar in sackcloth as well, and cried out to the God of Israel with one heart and without pause: that he would not give up their little ones to be carried off, their wives to be taken as spoil, the towns of their inheritance to ruin, or the holy things to profanation and mockery, a thing for the nations to gloat over. 13The Lord heard their voice and saw how hard they were pressed. Day after day the people went on fasting throughout Judea and in Jerusalem, in front of the holy place of the Lord Almighty. 14Joakim the high priest, and all who stand in the Lord’s presence as priests, and those who minister to the Lord, went with sackcloth bound at their waists as they offered the perpetual burnt offering and the votive and freewill gifts of the people. 15Ashes lay on their turbans, and they cried out to the Lord with all their strength, that he would look on the whole house of Israel for good.