1 So they sent messengers to Holofernes, requesting peace:
2 "Look, we are the servants of the Great King Nebuchadnezzar, and we present ourselves to you. Do with us whatever you think is best.
3 Look, here are our homes and all of our property, all the wheat fields and flocks and herds. All of our tents lie before you. Do with them as you think is best.
4 Our cities and the people who live there are your slaves. Come down and deal with them as you see fit."
5 The men brought this message to Holofernes.
6 Then he and his army went down to the seacoast and placed guards in strategic cities and chose men from among them to form a reserve army.