Conduct During War

20 When you go out for battle against your enemies, and you see the horses and chariots of a people more numerous than you are, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.

² When you are approaching the battle, the priest is to come forward and speak to the people. ³ He will say to them, “Listen, Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies. Do not let your heart become weak. Do not be afraid. Do not tremble. Do not dread them, ⁴ because the Lord your God is going with you to do battle for you against your enemies, to save you.”

⁵ The officers also are to speak to the people and say, “Whoever has built a new house but has not dedicated it, let him go and return to his house so that he does not die in the battle and another man dedicates it.

⁶ “Whoever has planted a vineyard but has not yet removed it from sacred status,^[a] let him go and return to his house so that he does not die in the battle and another man is the first to eat from it.

⁷ “Whoever is pledged in marriage to a woman but has not consummated the marriage, let him go and return to his house so that he does not die in the battle and another man takes her in marriage.”

⁸ Then the officers are to speak again to the people and say, “Whoever is afraid and fainthearted may go and return to his house, so that the hearts of his brother Israelites do not melt in cowardice like his heart.”

⁹ When the officers finish speaking to the people, they are to appoint army commanders at the head of the people.