4 The Israeli people (Israel) who lived in Yehudah heard all that Holofernes the chief captain of Nevukadnetsar king of the Assyrians had done to the nations, and how he’d plundered all their temples and destroyed them utterly. 2 They were extremely afraid at his approach, and were troubled for Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and for the temple of the master their god; 3 because they’d newly come up from the captivity, and all Yehudah’s people were recently gathered together; and the vessels, the altar, and the house were sanctified after being profaned.

4 And they sent into every coast of Shomron (Samaria), to Konae, to Beyt-Horon, Belmaim, Yeriho (Jericho), to Choba, Aesora, and to the valley of Shalem; 5 and they occupied beforehand all the tops of the high mountains, fortified the villages that were in them, and stored supplies for the provision of war, because their fields were newly harvested. 6 Yehoyakim the high priest, who was in those days at Yerushalem, wrote to those who lived in Betulia and Betomesthaim, which is opposite Yizre’el (Jezreel) towards the plain that’s near to Dotan, 7 charging them to seize on the ascents of the hill country; because by them was the entrance into Yehudah, and it was easy to stop them from approaching, since the approach was narrow, with space for two men at the most. 8 And the Israeli people did as Yehoyakim the high priest had commanded them, as did the senate of all Yisrael’s people, which was in session at Yerushalem.