⁹ When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. ¹⁰ The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. ¹¹ And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. ^12 (A)Be of good courage, and ^(B)let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and ^(C)may the Lord do what seems good to him.”

¹³ But ^(A)exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by ^(B)the deceitfulness of sin.

²⁴ And ^(A)let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ^25 (B)not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and ^(C)all the more as you see ^(D)the Day drawing near.