Deuteronomy 20:1-9

Amplified Bible

Laws of Warfare

20 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, 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 approach the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people, ³ and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: you are advancing today to battle against your enemies. Do not lack courage. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble [in terror] before them, ⁴ for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’^{(A) 5} The officers shall also speak to the ^[a]soldiers, saying, ‘What man is there who has built a new house and has not yet ^[b]dedicated it? ^[c]Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. ⁶ What man has planted a vineyard and has not put it to use [harvesting its fruit]? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit. ⁷ And who is the man who is engaged (legally promised) to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would marry her.’ ⁸ Then the officers shall speak further to the soldiers and say, ‘Who is the man who is afraid and lacks courage? Let him go and return to his house, so that he does not cause his brothers’ courage to fail like his own.’ ⁹ And it shall be when the officers have finished speaking to the soldiers, they shall appoint commanders of armies over them.