16. Then Judith came in and reclined. The heart of Holofernes was in rapture over her and his passion was aroused. He was burning with the desire to possess her, for he had been biding his time to seduce her from the day he saw her.
17. Holofernes said to her, “Drink and be happy with us!”
18. Judith replied, “I will gladly drink, my lord, for today is the greatest day of my whole life.”
19. She then took the things her servant had prepared and ate and drank in his presence.
20. Holofernes, charmed by her, drank a great quantity of wine, more than he had ever drunk on any day since he was born.