Deuteronomy 20:1-12

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Rules for War

20 “When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,^(A) is with you. ² When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. ³ He is to say to them: ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be cowardly. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them. ⁴ For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you^(B) against your enemies to give you victory.’

⁵ “The officers are to address the army, ‘Has any man built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him leave and return home. Otherwise, he may die in battle and another man dedicate it. ⁶ Has any man planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy its fruit?^[a] Let him leave and return home. Otherwise he may die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit.^{[b] 7} Has any man become engaged to a woman and not married her? Let him leave and return home. Otherwise he may die in battle and another man marry her.’ ⁸ The officers will continue to address the army and say, ‘Is there any man who is afraid or cowardly? Let him leave and return home, so that his brothers’ hearts won’t melt like his own.’ ⁹ When the officers have finished addressing the army, they will appoint military commanders to lead it.

¹⁰ “When you approach a city to fight against it, you must make an offer of peace. ¹¹ If it accepts your offer of peace and opens its gates to you, all the people found in it will become forced laborers for you and serve you. ¹² However, if it does not make peace with you but wages war against you, lay siege to it.