Deuteronomy 20:1-9

Lexham English Bible

20 “If you go out to war against your enemies and you see a horse and a chariot, an army^[a] larger that you, you shall not be afraid because of them; for Yahweh your God is with you, the one who brought you from the land of Egypt. ² And then^[b] when you approach the battle, then the priest shall come near and speak to the troops. ³ And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, Israel, you are near today^[c] to the battle against your enemies; do not lose heart;^[d] you shall not be afraid, and you shall not panic, and you shall not be terrified because of them,^{[e] 4} for Yahweh your God is going with you to fight for you against your enemies to help you.’ ⁵ And the officials shall speak to the troops, saying,^[f] ‘Who is the man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to this house, so that he does not die in battle and another man^[g] dedicates it. ⁶ And who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed it? Let him go and let him return to his house, so that he does not die in battle and another man^[h] enjoys it. ⁷ And who is the man who got engaged to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and let him return to his house, so that he does not die in battle and another man^[i] marries her.’ ⁸ And the officials shall continue to speak to the troops, and they shall say, ‘What man^[j] is afraid and disheartened?^[k] Let him go, and let him return to his house, and let him not cause the heart of his brothers to melt^[l] like his.’ ⁹ And when the officials have finished speaking^[m] to the army troops, then they shall appoint commanders of divisions at the head of the troops.