Laws Concerning Warfare

20 “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see ^(A)horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is ^(B)with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. ² And when you draw near to the battle, ^(C)the priest shall come forward and speak to the people ³ and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them,

⁵ Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.

⁸ And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ^(A)‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’

⁹ And when the officers have finished speaking to the people, then commanders shall be appointed at the head of the people.