| And word came to Holofernes the Prince of the wars of the of the Assyrians, that the children of Israel prepared themselves to make resistance, and how they had stopped the ways betwixted the mountains. Then was he exceedingly wroth, and called all the Princes of Moab, and the Captains of Ammon, and said unto them: Tell me, what people is this, that keepeth in the mountains? Or what manner of the cities are they? What is their power? Or what manner of Host have they? who is their Captain? And why do they despise us (more than those that dwell in the East) and come not forth to meet us, that they might receive us with peace? Then Achior the Captain of the Ammonites answered, and said: Sir, if it please thee to hear me, I will tell the truth before thee concerning this people that dwell in the mountains, and there shall no lie go out of my mouth.
This people is of the generation of the Chaldees, they dwelt first in Mesopotamia, for they would not follow the gods of their fathers that were in the land of Chaldees, and forsook they the customs of their forefathers ( which had many gods ) and worshipped one God, that made heaven and earth: which also commanded them that they should go from thence, and dwell at Haran. Now when there came *dearth into the whole land, they went down to Egypt, and there they dwelt four hundred years, in the which they multiplied so greatly, that their Host might not be numbered. And when the King of Egypt oppressed them, and subdued them in the building of his cities with making clay and brick, they cried unto God their Lord, which punished the whole land of Egypt with diverse plagues.
Now when the King of Egypt let them go their way, and the plague ceased, and then followed after them, and to bring them again into his service, while they were fleeing away, the God of heaven opened the sea, so that the waters stood fast upon both sides as a wall, and these went through the bottom of the sea dry shod. In the which place when an innumerable people of the Egyptians followed upon them, they were so overwhelmed with the waters, that there remained not one, to tell them that came after, how it happened. So when this people was passed through the reed sea, they came into the wilderness of the mount Sinai, where never a man might dwell afore, and where the *son of man had never rested. There were the bitter waters made sweet for them, that they might drink, and forty years had they meat from heaven. Wheresoever they went ( without bow and arrow, without buckler or sword ) their God fought for them, and caused them to have the victory. Yee no man was able to hurt this people, except it were so, that they departed unfaithfully from the worshiping of the Lord their God. But as often as they worshiped any other beside their God, he gave them over to be spoiled, to be slain, and to be put to confusion. Nevertheless as often as they were sorry for departing from the worship of their God, the same God of heaven gave them power and strength to withstand their enemies.
Moreover they slew the King of the Cananites, Jebusites, Pheresits, Hethits, Euites and Amorites, and all the mighty in Hesebon, and took their lands and cities in possession: and so long as they sinned not in the sight of their God, it went well with them, for their God hateth unrighteousness. For in times past when they went out of the way, which God had given them, that they should walk in it, they were destroyed in diverse battles of many nations: and many of them were carried away prisoners unto a strange country. But now lately they have turned themselves again unto the Lord their God, and are come together again out of the countries where they were scattered abroad: and thus they have conquered these mountains, and dwell therein: and as for Jerusalem where their Sanctuary is, they have it again in possession.
And therefore my lord, make diligent inquisition, if this people have done wickedness in the sight of their God, then let us go up against them, for doubtless their God shall deliver them into thy hands, and subdue them unto thy power. But if this people have not displeased their God, we shall not be able to withstand them, for their God shall defend them, and so shall we be a shame to all the world.
Now when Achior had spoken out these words, all the Princes of Holofernes were wroth, and thought to slay him, and said one to another: what is he this, which dare say, that the children of Israel are able to withstand Nabuchodonosor the King and his Host? whereas they are an unweaponed people, without strength or understanding of the feats of war? That Achior therefore may know that he hath deceived us, we will go up in to the mountains: and when the mighty men of them are taken, he also shall be struck with the sword, that all people may know, that Nabuchodonosor is the God of the earth, and there is none other without him. |
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