Going to War

20 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours,^(A) do not be afraid^(B) of them,^(C) because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with^(D) you. ² When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. ³ He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted^(E) or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. ⁴ For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you^(F) to fight^(G) for you against your enemies to give you victory.^(H)”

¹⁶ However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.^{(A) 17} Completely destroy^[a] them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. ¹⁸ Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods,^(B) and you will sin^(C) against the Lord your God.