4. When the Israelites saw the great multitude, they were extremely frightened and said to each other: "These people will now devour the whole countryside! Neither the highlands nor the valleys nor the foothills will be able to support their weight!"
5. Nevertheless, they each grabbed their weapons and, after lighting fires on their towers, remained on guard all that night.
6. On the second day, Holofernes led out his entire cavalry in full view of the Israelites who were in Bethulia.
7. He examined the approaches to their city, inspected the springs of water, seized them, and placed guards around them. Then he returned to the camp.
8. Then all the rulers of the Edomites, all the leaders of the Moabites, and the commanders of the coastland came to him and said:
9. "May our master listen to our advice, and your army won’t suffer any losses.