²⁸ Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller^(A) than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites^(B) there.’”

²⁹ Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid^(C) of them.^{(D) 30} The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight^(E) for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, ³¹ and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried^(F) you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”^(G)

²² Do not be afraid^(A) of them;^(B) the Lord your God himself will fight^(C) for you.”

³⁴ Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation,^(A) by testings,^(B) by signs^(C) and wonders,^(D) by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,^(E) or by great and awesome deeds,^(F) like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

³⁷ Because he loved^(A) your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,^{(B) 38} to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance,^(C) as it is today.

Not Because of Israel’s Righteousness

9 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan^(A) to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you,^(B) with large cities^(C) that have walls up to the sky.^{(D) 2} The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?”^{(E) 3} But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you^(F) like a devouring fire.^(G) He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly,^(H) as the Lord has promised you.

Going to War

20 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours,^(A) do not be afraid^(B) of them,^(C) because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with^(D) you.

² Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them:

Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land.^{(A) 3} With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders.^(B)

³ You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.^(A)

⁹ “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations;^(A) to this day no one has been able to withstand you.^{(B) 10} One of you routs a thousand,^(C) because the Lord your God fights for you,^(D) just as he promised.