¹⁶ You must destroy all the peoples the Lord your God gives over to you.^(A) Do not look on them with pity^(B) and do not serve their gods,^(C) for that will be a snare^(D) to you.

¹⁷ You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?^(E)” ¹⁸ But do not be afraid^(F) of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.^{(G) 19} You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand^(H) and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.^{(I) 20} Moreover, the Lord your God will send the hornet^(J) among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished. ²¹ Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you,^(K) is a great and awesome God.^{(L) 22} The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little.^(M) 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.^{(N) 24} He will give their kings^(O) into your hand,^(P) and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you;^(Q) you will destroy them.^{(R) 25} The images of their gods you are to burn^(S) in the fire. Do not covet^(T) the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared^(U) by it, for it is detestable^(V) to the Lord your God. ²⁶ Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction.^(W) Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.