1. And Holofernes said to her, Woman, be of good comfort, fear not in your heart: for I never hurt any that has chosen to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the king of all the earth.
2. And now, if your people that dwells in the hill country had not set light by me, I would not have lifted up my spear against them: but they have done these things to themselves.
3. And now tell me wherefore you did flee from them, and came to us: for you are come to save yourself; be of good comfort, you shall live this night, and hereafter:
4. for there is none that shall wrong you, but all shall entreat you well, as is done to the servants of king Nebuchadnezzar my lord.
5. And Judith said to him, Receive the words of your servant, and let your handmaid speak in your presence, and I will declare no lie to my lord this night.
6. And if you shall follow the words of your handmaid, God shall bring the thing to pass perfectly with you; and my lord shall not fail of his purposes.
7. As Nebuchadnezzar king of all the earth lives, and as his power lives, who has sent you for the preservation of every living thing, not only do men serve him by you, but also the beasts of the field and the cattle and the birds of the heaven shall live through your strength, in the time of Nebuchadnezzar and of all his house.
8. For we have heard of your wisdom and the subtil devices of your soul, and it has been reported in all the earth, that you only are brave in all the kingdom, and mighty in knowledge, and wonderful in feats of war.
9. And now as concerning the matter, which Achior did speak in your council, we have heard his words: for the men of Bethulia saved him, and he declared to them all that he had spoken before you.