10 You will go ahead of me to seize all of their territory. If they surrender to you, keep them for me until the day of their punishment.
11 But show no mercy to any who continue to resist. Hand them over to be killed and plundered. Do this wherever you go.
12 As I live, and by the power of my kingdom, I have spoken, and I will do this with my own hand.
13 Now don’t neglect even one of your master’s commands, but carry them out exactly as I have ordered you and without delay."
14 Holofernes left the presence of his master and called together all the leaders, captains, and commanders of the Assyrian army.
15 He assembled the chosen men in divisions as his master commanded him, one hundred twenty thousand infantry and twelve thousand cavalry armed with bows.
16 He arranged them as a great army prepared for war.