1 Holofernes said to her, "Take courage, woman, and don’t let your heart be afraid. I’ve never harmed anyone who chose to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of all the earth.
2 Even now, if your people who live in the highlands hadn’t insulted me, I wouldn’t have raised my spear against them. But they have brought this on themselves.
3 Now tell me why you escaped from them and came to us. You’re safe now, so take courage. You will live tonight and from now on.
4 No one will harm you. They will treat you well, just like all the slaves of my master King Nebuchadnezzar."
5 Judith answered him, “Listen to the words of your slave and let your servant woman speak in your presence. I won’t lie to you this night, my master.
6 If you follow the instructions of your female servant, God will accomplish something great through you, and my master’s plans won’t fail.