17 but (A)you shall devote them to complete destruction,[a] the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded, 18 that (B)they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their gods, and so you (C)sin against the Lord your God.

19 “When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, (D)you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Are the trees in the field human, that they should be besieged by you?

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 20:17 That is, set apart (devote) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)

Bible Gateway Recommends

Psalms, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Psalms, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $15.99
Our Price: $10.99
Save: $5.00 (31%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Archaeology Study Bible
ESV Archaeology Study Bible
Retail: $69.99
Our Price: $44.49
Save: $25.50 (36%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Seek and Find Bible, hardcover
ESV Seek and Find Bible, hardcover
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $9.49
Save: $25.50 (73%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Navy Blue
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Navy Blue
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $18.99
Save: $26.00 (58%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
Retail: $311.76
Our Price: $155.76
Save: $156.00 (50%)