⁶ He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: ⁷ “Be strong and courageous.^(A) Do not be afraid or discouraged^(B) because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.^{(C) 8} With him is only the arm of flesh,^(D) but with us^(E) is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”^(F) And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.