Have courage; you will live, tonight and from now on: Good News Translation has “No need to be afraid! We have spared your life tonight, and you are in no danger for the future.” The Greek reads literally “Be of good cheer; this night you will live and into the future.” In other words, Holofernes is telling Judith how lucky she is that he’s not going to kill her. Good News Translation is not wrong, but something like this might be better: “I have decided that I will spare your life tonight—and for the future as well.” All recent translations join Good News Translation in placing the number for verse 4 after this sentence, although Revised Standard Version places it at the end of verse 3. The Handbook recommends that translators follow Good News Translation.

No one will hurt you, but all will treat you well, as they do the servants of my lord King Nebuchadnezzar is literally “There is no one who will do you wrong, but he will do you well, as it happens to the servants of my lord King Nebuchadnezzar.” Holofernes probably thinks he is being subtle. This is the second time in this conversation he has hinted that Judith must submit to Nebuchadnezzar—and perhaps even to him, if that is implied in treat you well, the same phrase used by the soldiers in 10.16; see the note there. Good News Translation provides a good alternative model, making it clear that servants means “all other people who serve [or, are ruled by] my Master [or, Lord] Nebuchadnezzar.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.