1. In the thirteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, on the twenty-second day of the first month, the word went forth from the house of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians, that he would defend himself.
2. And he called all the native leaders, and all the commanders, and his officers of war, and he met with them in his secret council.
3. And he said to them that his thoughts were to subjugate all the earth to his authority.
4. And when this saying pleased them all, king Nebuchadnezzar called Holofernes, the leader of his military.
5. And he said to him: "Go out against all the kingdoms of the west, and against those in particular who showed contempt for my authority.
6. Your eye must not spare any kingdom, and all the fortified cities you will subjugate to me."
7. Then Holofernes called the commanders and the magistrates of the army of the Assyrians. And he numbered men for the expedition, just as the king had instructed him: one hundred and twenty thousand foot-soldiers, and twelve thousand archers on horseback.
8. And he caused his entire expeditionary force to go ahead with an innumerable multitude of camels, with whatever was needed in abundance for the armies, and with herds of cattle, and flocks of sheep, which could not be numbered.