4. When the Israelites saw how many there were, they were greatly distressed and said to one another, “Soon they will strip the whole land bare. Neither the high mountains nor the valleys nor the hills will bear their weight.”
5. Yet they all seized their weapons, lighted fires on their towers, and kept watch throughout the night.
6. On the second day Holofernes led out all his cavalry in the sight of the Israelites who were in Bethulia.
7. He reconnoitered the ascents to their city and located their springs of water; these he seized, stationing armed detachments around them, while he himself returned to his troops.
8. All the rulers of the Edomites, all the leaders of the Moabites, together with the generals of the coastal region, came to Holofernes and said:
9. “Master, please listen to what we have to say, that there may be no losses among your forces.
10. These Israelite troops do not rely on their spears, but on the height of the mountains where they dwell, for it is not easy to reach the summit of their mountains.
11. Therefore, master, do not attack them in regular formation, and not a single one of your troops will fall.
12. Stay in your camp, and spare every man of your force. Have some of your servants keep control of the spring of water that flows out at the base of the mountain,