Chapter 3 - The beginning of worshiping Nabuchodonosor 


1 So they sent ambassadors unto him to treat (of peace), saying,

2 Behold, we the servants of Nabuchodonosor (the great king) lie before thee; use us as shall be good in thy sight.


3 Behold, our houses, and all our places, and all our fields (of wheat) and flocks, and herds, and all the lodges (of our tents) lie before thy face; use them as it pleaseth thee.


4 Behold, even our cities and the inhabitants (thereof) are thy servants; come and deal with them as seemeth good unto thee.


5 So the men came to Holofernes, and declared unto him after this manner.


6 Then came (he) down toward the sea coast, both he and his army, and set garrisons in the high cities, and took out of them chosen men for aid.


7 So they and all the country (roundabout) received them with garlands, with dances, and with timbrels.


8 Yet he did cast down their frontiers, and cut down their groves: for he had decreed to destroy all the gods (of the land) that all nations should worship Nabuchodonosor only, and that all tongues and tribes should call upon him [as] god.


9 Also he came over against Esdraelon near unto Judea, over against the great strait of Judea.


10 And he pitched between Geba and Scythopolis, and there he tarried a whole month that he might gather together all the carriages of his army.


Chapter 4