Deuteronomy 9:1–6

Not Because of Israel’s Righteousness

9 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordanh to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you,i with large citiesj that have walls up to the sky.k 2 The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?”l 3 But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of youm like a devouring fire.n He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly,o as the Lord has promised you.

4 After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself,p “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickednessq of these nationsr that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integritys that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickednesst of these nations,u the Lord your God will drive them outv before you, to accomplish what he sworew to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.x 6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.y