10. These Israelite troops do not rely on their spears, but on the height of the mountains where they dwell, for it is not easy to reach the summit of their mountains.
11. Therefore, master, do not attack them in regular formation, and not a single one of your troops will fall.
12. Stay in your camp, and spare every man of your force. Have some of your servants keep control of the spring of water that flows out at the base of the mountain,
13. for that is where the inhabitants of Bethulia get their water. Then thirst will destroy them, and they will surrender their city. Meanwhile, we and our troops will go up to the nearby hilltops and encamp there to guard against anyone’s leaving the city.
14. They and their wives and children will languish with hunger, and even before the sword strikes them they will be laid low in the streets where they live.
15. Thus you will render them dire punishment for their rebellion and their refusal to meet you peacefully.”
16. Their words pleased Holofernes and all his attendants, and he ordered their proposal to be carried out.
17. So the Ammonites moved camp, together with five thousand Assyrians. They encamped in the valley and held the water supply and the springs of the Israelites.
18. The Edomites and the Ammonites went up and encamped in the hill country opposite Dothan; and they sent some of their men to the southeast opposite Egrebel, near Chusi, which is on Wadi Mochmur. The rest of the Assyrian army was encamped in the plain, covering all the land. Their tents and equipment were spread out in profusion everywhere, and they formed a vast multitude.
19. The Israelites cried to the Lord, their God, for they were disheartened, since all their enemies had them surrounded, and there was no way of escaping from them.
20. The whole Assyrian army, infantry, chariots, and cavalry, kept them thus surrounded for thirty-four days. All the reservoirs of water failed the inhabitants of Bethulia,
21. and the cisterns ran dry, so that on no day did they have enough water to drink, for their drinking water was rationed.
22. Their children were listless, and the women and youths were fainting from thirst and were collapsing in the streets and gateways of the city, with no strength left in them.
23. So all the people, including youths, women, and children, went in a crowd to Uzziah and the rulers of the city. They cried out loudly and said before all the elders:
24. “May God judge between you and us! You have done us grave injustice in not making peace with the Assyrians.
25. There is no one to help us now! God has sold us into their hands by laying us prostrate before them in thirst and utter exhaustion.