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2:1  In the eighteenth year, on the twenty-second day of the first month, there was a discussion in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians, about taking revenge on all the land, as he had threatened.
2:2  He summoned all his attendants and officers, laid before them his secret plan, and with his own lips recounted in full detail the wickedness of all the land.
2:3  They decided to destroy all who had refused to obey the order he had issued.
2:4  When he had fully recounted his plan, Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians, summoned Holofernes, the ranking general of his forces, second only to himself in command, and said to him:
2:5  “Thus says the great king, the lord of all the earth: Go forth from my presence, take with you men of proven valor, one hundred and twenty thousand infantry and twelve thousand cavalry,
2:6  and proceed against all the land of the west, because they disobeyed the order I issued.
2:7  Tell them to have earth and water ready, for I will come against them in my wrath; I will cover all the land with the feet of my soldiers, to whom I will deliver them as spoils.
2:8  Their wounded will fill their ravines and wadies, the swelling river will be choked with their dead;
2:9  and I will deport them as exiles to the very ends of the earth.
2:10  “Go before me and take possession of all their territories for me. If they surrender to you, guard them for me until the day of their sentencing.
2:11  As for those who disobey, show them no mercy, but deliver them up to slaughter and plunder in all the land you occupy.
2:12  For as I live, and by the strength of my kingdom, what I have spoken I will accomplish by my own hand.
2:13  Do not disobey a single one of the orders of your lord; fulfill them exactly as I have commanded you, and do it without delay.”
2:14  So Holofernes left the presence of his lord, and summoned all the commanders, generals, and officers of the Assyrian forces.
2:15  He mustered one hundred and twenty thousand picked troops, as his lord had commanded, and twelve thousand mounted archers,
2:16  and drew them up as a vast force organized for battle.
2:17  He took along a very large number of camels, donkeys, and mules for carrying their supplies; innumerable sheep, cattle, and goats for their food;
2:18  abundant provisions for each man, and much gold and silver from the royal palace.