She came close to his bed: Good News Translation‘s “She came closer” is dramatic, but combining it with New English Bible‘s “stepping close” to get “She stepped closer” is better than either.

Took hold of the hair of his head: The name Holofernes does not appear in the text of this verse; Good News Translation‘s insertion of it is unnecessary here, and perhaps even a bit distracting. Contemporary English Version is similar to Revised Standard Version with “grabbed him by his hair.”

Give me strength this day, O Lord God of Israel may be rendered “Lord God of Israel, give me the strength to do this” (Contemporary English Version). The tension of this brief prayer contrasts with Judith’s long outpouring in 9.2-14 and her thanksgiving song in 16.2-17. This is a time for action. The prayer is even tighter and stronger in Greek than in either Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation. She literally prays, “Strengthen me….” “Strengthen” is a verb of action, and not a noun describing a quality. At this point the book reaches its highest peak of suspense. All this tension is suddenly released in the next verse in a barrage of violent verbs. For Lord God of Israel, see 12.8.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.