17. You may be thinking, “How can we destroy these nations? They are more powerful than we are.”
18. But stop worrying! Just remember what the Lord your God did to Egypt and its king.
19. You saw how the Lord used his tremendous power to work great miracles and bring you out of Egypt. And he will again work miracles for you when you face these enemies you fear so much.
20. Some of them may try to survive by hiding from you, but the Lord will make them panic, and soon they will be dead.
21. So don't be frightened when you meet them in battle. The Lord your God is great and fearsome, and he will fight at your side.
22. As you attack these nations, the Lord will force them out little by little. He won't let you get rid of them all at once—if he did, there wouldn't be enough people living in the land to keep down the number of wild animals.
23-24. But when you attack your enemies, the Lord will make them panic, and you will easily destroy them. You will defeat them one after another until they are gone, and no one will remember they ever lived.
25. After you conquer a nation, burn their idols. Don't get trapped into wanting the silver or gold on an idol. Even the metal on an idol is disgusting to the Lord,
26. so destroy it. If you bring it home with you, both you and your house will be destroyed. Stay away from those disgusting idols!