Laws of Warfare

20 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see ^(A)horses, chariots, and people more numerous than you, ^(B)do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. ² When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people. ³ He shall say to them, ‘Hear, Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. ^(C)Do not be afraid, or panic, or be terrified by them, ⁴ for the Lord your God ^(D)is the One who is going with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ ⁵ The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house but has not ^(E)dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. ⁶ And who is the man that has planted a vineyard but has not ^[a]put it to use? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man ^[b]would put it to use. ^7 (F)And who is the man that is ^[c]betrothed to a woman and has not ^[d]married her? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would ^[e]marry her.’ ⁸ Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘^(G)Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that ^[f]he does not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart!’ ⁹ And when the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people.