The Greek says that Judith’s face was altered and her clothing changed. Good News Translation has shifted the focus a bit by neglecting the main point here, which is how different Judith looked, not only in clothing but also in facial appearance. It was not said in 10.3-4, nor is it said here, that she “put on make-up” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). It only says that her face looked different, though make-up may be legitimately inferred. One could translate “When the men saw how different Judith looked after she had changed clothes and put on make-up….”

They greatly admired her beauty: “They were struck by her beauty” (Good News Translation) and “they were amazed at her beauty” (Contemporary English Version) are good descriptions of what happens. One must beware of the error made by New American Bible. It says “they were very much astounded at her beauty,” but this implies that they really didn’t know that Judith could be pretty—but surely they could remember her appearance only three years and four months ago, when her husband died (8.4).

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.