Deuteronomy 20:1–9

Laws of Warfare

¹“When you go out to battle against your enemies and see ^ahorses and chariots and people more numerous than you, ^bdo 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 are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people.

³“He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. ^aDo not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them,

⁴for the Lord your God ^ais the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

⁵“The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house and has not ^adedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it.

⁶‘Who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not ¹begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit.

⁷‘^aAnd who is the man that is engaged to a woman and has not ¹married her? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man ²would marry her.’

⁸“Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘^aWho is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that ¹he might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart.’

⁹“When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people.