19 But now the Israelites have started worshiping their God again, and they have returned home from the places where they were scattered. The Israelites are living in Jerusalem, where their temple again stands, and in the hill country where no other people have settled.
20 Sir, if we find out that these Israelites have started disobeying their God again, we can attack and defeat them, even if they have accidentally sinned against him.
21 But if they are innocent, you should leave them alone. Their God will defend them, and every nation in the world would laugh at us.
22 When Achior finished speaking, the people standing around the tent started complaining. The commanders of Holofernes' army, together with the Moabites and the people from the Mediterranean coast, demanded that Achior be beaten to death.
23 They said, “We aren't afraid of those weak Israelites! They don't have the strength to fight.
24 Let's attack them, General Holofernes! Your powerful army will easily defeat them.”