10
And on the fourth day Holofernes made a feast for his own servants only, and called none of the officers to the banquet.
11
Then said he to Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that he had, "Go now, and persuade this Hebrew woman who is with thee that she come unto us, and eat and drink with us.
12
For lo, it will be a shame for our person if we shall let such a woman go, not having had her company, for if we draw her not unto us she will laugh us to scorn."
13
Then went Bagoas from the presence of Holofernes and came to her, and he said, "Let not this fair damsel fear to come to my lord and to be honored in his presence, and drink wine and be merry with us, and be made this day as one of the daughters of the Assyrians, who serve in the house of Nebuchadnezzar."
14
Then said Judith unto him, "Who am I now, that I should gainsay my lord? Surely whatsoever pleaseth him I will do speedily, and it shall be my joy unto the day of my death."
15
So she arose, and decked herself with her apparel and all her woman's attire, and her maid went and laid soft skins on the ground for her before Holofernes, which she had received from Bagoas for her daily use, that she might sit and eat upon them.
16
Now when Judith came in and sat down, Holofernes' heart was ravished with her, and his mind was moved and he desired greatly her company; for he awaited a time to deceive her from the day that he had seen her.
17
Then said Holofernes unto her, "Drink now, and be merry with us."
18
So Judith said, "I will drink now, my lord, because my life is magnified in me this day more than all the days since I was born."
19
Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared.
20
And Holofernes took great delight in her, and drank much more wine than he had drunk at any time in one day since he was born.