²³ then the Lord will drive out^(A) all these nations^(B) before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you.^(C)

³⁸ to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance,^(A) as it is today.

Not Because of Israel’s Righteousness

9 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan^(A) to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you,^(B) with large cities^(C) that have walls up to the sky.^(D)

⁵ It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity^(A) that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness^(B) of these nations,^(C) the Lord your God will drive them out^(D) before you, to accomplish what he swore^(E) to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.^(F)

²² The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little.^(A) You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. ²³ But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.^(B)

Driving Out the Nations

7 When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess^(A) and drives out before you many nations^(B)—the Hittites,^(C) Girgashites,^(D) Amorites,^(E) Canaanites, Perizzites,^(F) Hivites^(G) and Jebusites,^(H) seven nations larger and stronger than you— ² and when the Lord your God has delivered^(I) them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy^(J) them totally.^[a](K) Make no treaty^(L) with them, and show them no mercy.^(M)

¹¹ Obey what I command^(A) you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.^(B)

²⁷ “I will send my terror^(A) ahead of you and throw into confusion^(B) every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.^{(C) 28} I will send the hornet^(D) ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites^(E) out of your way. ²⁹ But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals^(F) too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession^(G) of the land.