4
At the close of the meeting, Nebuchadnezzar gave the following command to Holofernes, who was the general in command of his armies and second in command to the king:
5
"I, Nebuchadnezzar, the great king and ruler of all the earth, command you to choose some experienced soldiers: 120,000 infantry and 12,000 cavalry.
6
Then attack the lands to the west because they refused to respond to my appeal for help.
7
Warn them that they must prepare their offerings of earth and water to show that they have surrendered unconditionally. I will make them feel the full force of my anger and completely destroy them. My armies will march over every foot of their land and plunder it as they go.
8
I will fill the valleys with their dead bodies and will choke up every stream and river with so many corpses that they will all overflow.
9
I will take captive all those who are left alive and carry them off to the ends of the earth.
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"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.
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But if they resist, do not spare them. Kill them and loot the entire region under your control.
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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.
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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."