³ But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you^(A) like a devouring fire.^(B) He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly,^(C) as the Lord has promised you.

⁴ After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself,^(D) “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness^(E) of these nations^(F) that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. ⁵ It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity^(G) that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness^(H) of these nations,^(I) the Lord your God will drive them out^(J) before you, to accomplish what he swore^(K) to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.^(L)