16 You must destroy all the peoples the Lord your God gives over to you.w Do not look on them with pityx and do not serve their gods,y for that will be a snarez to you.

17 You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?a” 18 But do not be afraidb of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.c 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty handd and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.e 20 Moreover, the Lord your God will send the hornetf among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished. 21 Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you,g is a great and awesome God.h 22 The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little.i You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. 23 But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.j 24 He will give their kingsk into your hand,l and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you;m you will destroy them.n 25 The images of their gods you are to burno in the fire. Do not covetp the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnaredq by it, for it is detestabler to the Lord your God. 26 Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction.s Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.