Laws Concerning Warfare

20 “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see ^(A)horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is ^(B)with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. ² And when you draw near to the battle, ^(C)the priest shall come forward and speak to the people ³ and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, ⁴ for the Lord your God is he who goes with you ^(D)to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ ⁵ Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. ⁶ And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not ^(E)enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit. ^7 (F)And is there any man who has betrothed a wife and has not taken her? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’

¹⁵ I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them ^(A)persistently, saying, ^(B)‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and ^(C)do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.’ ^(D)But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. ¹⁶ The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. ¹⁷ Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, ^(E)because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, ^(F)I have called to them and they have not answered.”