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.
26. So now, summon them and deliver the whole city as plunder to the troops of Holofernes and to all his forces;