2. So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.
3. And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them;
4. for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’
5. “Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying: ‘What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.
6. Also what man is there who has planted a vineyard and has not eaten of it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man eat of it.
7. And what man is there who is betrothed to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man marry her.’
8. “The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’
9. And so it shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
10. “When you go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it.
11. And it shall be that if they accept your offer of peace, and open to you, then all the people who are found in it shall be placed under tribute to you, and serve you.
12. Now if the city will not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.
13. And when the Lord your God delivers it into your hands, you shall strike every male in it with the edge of the sword.
14. But the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall plunder for yourself; and you shall eat the enemies’ plunder which the Lord your God gives you.