You and all who live within the borders of Israel is literally “you and all those inhabiting every region of Israel.” Good News Translation‘s “you and all the other Israelites” is perhaps not clear enough. Judith is bringing in all of Israel, just as Deborah tried to do. “You and every other Israelite in the whole country” would do nicely enough. It is implied that only able-bodied men are to be involved in the attack, so one may translate “you and the rest of Israel’s army.”

Cut them down as they flee: Cut them down translates a word meaning “to spread about.” It was used in 7.14 (“they will be strewn about in the streets”) and 7.25 (“to strew us on the ground”). It was used in 12.1, where Holofernes ordered a table “set” for Judith. Here any verb suggesting violent death is appropriate; for example, “mow them down” or “cut them all to pieces.” Good News Translation‘s “kill them” is too weak. As they flee translates the literal “in their ways.” Good News Translation‘s “as they retreat” is not quite right. The implication of “in their ways” really seems to be that the Israelites will cut the Assyrians down wherever they try to run. In 15.2, when the rout is actually described, the Assyrians flee “by every path/road/way.”

An alternative translation model for the whole verse is:

• Then you and every Israelite in the whole country can chase after them and slaughter them anywhere they try to run.

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.