Then said Holofernes unto her, Be of good comfort, and fear not in thine heart; for I have never hurt man that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor the king.

And if thy people had not despised me, I would not have lifted up my spear against them.

Now therefore tell me, for what cause hast thou departed from them, and chosen to come unto us?

And Judith said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid, for if thou follow the words of thine handmaid, the Lord will accomplish the thing for thee.

As Nabuchodonosor king of all the earth liveth, and as his power liveth, which is in thee for the chastisement of all straying souls, not only men are subject to him by thee, but also the beasts of the field are obedient to him.

For the wisdom of thy mind hath been published through all nations, and all that live in this age know that thou art alone good and mighty in all his kingdom; and thy good government is renowned in all provinces.

And it is not hidden what Achior did speak, nor did he hide what he was commanded to suffer.

And it is certain that our God was so wroth at sins, that He sent His prophets to His people, saying that He would deliver them up for their sins.

And because the children of Israel knew that they had offended their God, thy terror hath fallen upon them.

Moreover, famine hath overtaken them, and they are numbered among the dead because of the lack of water.

Insomuch that they purposed to slay their cattle to drink their blood.

And the holy things of their God, which God commanded not to be touched, even the corn and the wine and the oil, they were purposing to consume; and they intend to eat that which it is not lawful even to touch with their hands. For since they do these things, it is proven that they shall be delivered up to destruction.

And since thine handmaid hath learned of this, she hath fled from them, and the Lord hath sent me to tell thee of this.

And I worship God even now, and thy handmaid goeth forth and prayeth to God.

And he telleth me when He will take vengeance upon their iniquity, and I will come and tell thee of it, that I may bring thee into the midst of Jerusalem, and all the people of Israel shall be unto thee as sheep that have no shepherd, and no dog shall bark at thee.

And all these things have I learned through the providence of God.

And since God is wroth with them, I am sent to tell thee these things.

And all these words pleased Holofernes and his servants, and they marvelled at her wisdom, and said one to another,

There is not such a woman upon the earth in beauty and comeliness and wisdom of speech.

Then said Holofernes unto her, God hath done well, in sending thee before the people, to deliver them into our hands.

And since thy promise is good, if thy God will do that for me, then shall He be my God, and thou shalt be great in the house of Nabuchodonosor, and thy name shall be renowned throughout all the earth.