12
They arrested Judith and questioned her, "What is your nationality? Where did you come from, and where are you going?" "I am a Hebrew," she answered, "but I am running away from the Israelites because God is going to let you destroy them.
13
I am on my way to see Holofernes, the general in command of your army, to give him some reliable information. I can show him how to advance into the mountains and take control of the entire region without a single casualty."
14
The men stared at her because she was so beautiful. They listened to her story and said,
15
"You have saved your life by coming down here to see our general. Some of us will take you to his headquarters and present you to him.
16
Do not be afraid of him. Just tell him what you have told us, and he will treat you well."
17
They assigned a hundred men to escort Judith and her slave to the headquarters of Holofernes.
18
There was great commotion in the Assyrian camp as news of Judith's arrival spread from tent to tent. While she stood outside the tent of Holofernes waiting to be presented to him, many Assyrian soldiers came and stood around her.
19
They were greatly impressed by her beauty and wondered what kind of people the Israelites were. "Who can have contempt for people whose women are so beautiful?" they asked one another. "We had better kill all the men, or else these Jews will be able to charm the whole world."
20
Then Holofernes' bodyguard and his personal servants came out and led Judith into the tent.
21
Holofernes was resting on his bed under a mosquito net woven of purple and gold thread and decorated with emeralds and other precious stones.
22
When the men told him that Judith had arrived, he came to the outer part of the tent. Silver lamps were carried ahead of him.