Given by: the narrative of Judith, recording how she lived out all her remaining years after the deliverance. Given to: Judith as an example — and, by her life, to every believer called to faithful chastity.

A widow in Israel might honourably remarry, yet Judith chose lifelong chastity, devoting her remaining years wholly to God; the text joins this chastity to her 'virtue', presenting a whole life of settled fidelity as the seal of her greatness.

And chastity was joined to her virtue, so that she knew no man all the days of her life, after the death of Manasses her husband.

Let chastity be joined to your virtue as a lifelong, faithful devotion to God.

Judith 16:26

Your Spirit

Loves God

Loves Neighbor

Your Body

Moral Behaviour