⁵ The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in^(A) it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. ⁶ Has anyone planted^(B) a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it?^(C) Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. ⁷ Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.^(D)” ⁸ Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.”^{(E) 9} When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.

⁵ If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.^(A)