4
When the Israelites saw the great multitude, they were extremely frightened and said to each other: "These people will now devour the whole countryside! Neither the highlands nor the valleys nor the foothills will be able to support their weight!"
5
Nevertheless, they each grabbed their weapons and, after lighting fires on their towers, remained on guard all that night.
6
On the second day, Holofernes led out his entire cavalry in full view of the Israelites who were in Bethulia.
7
He examined the approaches to their city, inspected the springs of water, seized them, and placed guards around them. Then he returned to the camp.
8
Then all the rulers of the Edomites, all the leaders of the Moabites, and the commanders of the coastland came to him and said: