The slaves have tricked us: Slaves is used here in the same sense as in verse 13 (see the note there). Good News Translation does not represent it at all here, which is probably just as well. Anything catching Bagoas’ intent would probably be a profanity. One could, however, say something like “Those wretched [or, worthless, miserable] slaves.” The verb translated tricked literally means “set aside [an agreement], disregard.” Here Judith has set aside her word (11.17-19) to Holofernes, and Bagoas realizes they have been fooled. In Greek the verb has no object expressed. The lack of it may make Bagoas’ cry more embittered. Of course, us is the object to be implied. Judith will use this verb with God as subject in her song of praise in the next chapter (“foiled” in 16.6).

One Hebrew woman has brought disgrace on the house of King Nebuchadnezzar: For a comment on Hebrew, see 10.12. It should not be translated “Israelite” (Good News Translation). Has brought disgrace on may be rendered “has disgraced” or “has caused … to lose much face.” While the house of King Nebuchadnezzar in 11.23 and 12.13 refers to a literal building, the palace, here it refers to the kingdom, or perhaps the royal line. Good News Translation has “Nebuchadnezzar’s whole kingdom.” “Whole” represents no word in the Greek text, but it is a fitting contrast to Bagoas’ emphasis on One Hebrew woman.

For look: “Look in there” (Good News Translation) is much better since the officers are standing outside Holofernes’ sleeping quarters and Bagoas is urging them to go inside and see for themselves what has happened.

Here is Holofernes lying on the ground: In contrast to 14.15, where Good News Translation omitted reference to Holofernes being dead, here Good News Translation inserts it. But it works in each instance.

And his head is not on him: It is hard to read this and not think it funny. Most translations come out sounding funny here. And that is probably the way it should be. Certainly Bagoas doesn’t see anything funny, but the Jewish audience would think it positively hilarious, and having Bagoas say something almost dumb would make it even funnier.

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.