I cannot eat it, lest it be an offense: Once again the translator must create the correct mood. Judith must turn down the tempting food tactfully. In Greek she says literally “I do not eat of them, lest there be an offense/stumbling block.” In Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation she says I cannot eat …, which is quite natural. New American Bible‘s “I will not partake of them” or New English Bible‘s “I will not eat any of it” sounds defiant. It is inconsistent with the context. Judith must sound respectful. She is hesitant to offend Holofernes. Even “I would rather not eat this,” as in New Jerusalem Bible, is not going too far. The offense she wants to avoid is a ritual violation of dietary law. Good News Translation‘s “I would be breaking the laws of my God” and Contemporary English Version‘s “God’s Law will not allow me to eat your food” are helpful and import nothing alien into the narrative.

I will be provided from the things I have brought with me means “I will be satisfied with the food I brought with me.” Good News Translation‘s “I will eat only…” makes Judith sound inappropriately rude. Moore’s translation is good here; he makes a separate sentence: “Besides, I have enough with what I brought with me.” Contemporary English Version has “so I brought enough of my own.” What she brought with her refers, of course, to the food mentioned in 10.5. By refusing his food, she confirms to Holofernes how serious she is about careful observance of the dietary laws, so as to make him trust her all the more.

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.