10
"But you, Holofernes, are ordered to go ahead of me and occupy all their territories in advance. If they surrender to you, hold them for me until I come to punish them.
11
But if they resist, do not spare them. Kill them and loot the entire region under your control.
12
I have taken a solemn vow, and at the risk of my life and my royal power I am determined to do what I have vowed to do.
13
Do not disobey me in any way. I am your king; remember that, and carry out without delay every order that I have given you."
14
So Holofernes left the king and called together all the commanders, generals, and officers of the Assyrian army.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.