7 Tell those nations that I am prepared to attack, and so they have no choice but to surrender. I will command my troops to invade every bit of their land and take everything of value.
8 The valleys and gorges will be filled with wounded people, and the land will be flooded, because dead bodies will block every stream and river.
9 Then I will capture everyone left alive and scatter them all over the earth.
10 Holofernes, I want you to go ahead of me and take over their land. Keep control of the nations that surrender to you, and when I arrive, I will punish them myself.
11 But destroy those nations that refuse to surrender. Show them no mercy and command your troops to take their possessions.
12 As surely as I rule this powerful kingdom, I will keep my solemn promise to punish those nations.
13 I am your king, so don't disobey any of my commands. Go and follow every order I have given you.