Deuteronomy 20

When Are You Going to War, Do Not Be Scared

1 When you go out to fight, and the other army got mad horses, chariots, and way more soldiers than you all, do not trip. God who brought you outta Egypt is riding with you.

2 Before you all step onto the battlefield, The priest is going to step up and talk to the squad.

3 He will say, “Listen up, soldiers of Israel. Today you are about to fight your enemies, Do not be shook, do not panic, do not lose your head.

4 Because the Lord your God is going to war with you all. He got your back, He is going to fight for you and give you the W.”

Let the Scared & Distracted Folks Stay Home

5 Then the officers say, “Anybody here just built a new crib and is not moved in yet, Go on home before you die out here and somebody else take it.”

6 “Anybody plant a vineyard but is not picked the first grapes yet, Go home before somebody else eat what you worked for.”

7 “Any of you all engaged but are not married yet, Bounce, do not die before you get that wedding.”

8 Then the officers keep it all the way real: “Anybody scared, Heart full of fear, Go home before your fear spreads to the rest of the crew.”

9 Once the officers finish giving orders, They pick captains to lead the troops into battle.

Offer Peace Before Popping Off

10 When you all roll up on a city to fight, Offer them peace first.

11 If they down for peace and open the gates, Put them folks to work. They become your squad’s workers.

12 But if they say, “Nah, we are not surrendering,” and want to fight.

13 Then God is going to hand them over. You all handle business. Take the city.

14 Kill the men. But the women, kids, animals, and whatever else, Take that as your cut. That is the blessing God gave you.

15 That is how you handle cities far away, ones outside the Promised Land.

Wipe Out the Wicked Nations Nearby

16 But for the cities in your land, the ones God is giving you, Do not let anybody survive. No mercy.

17 You must completely destroy them: the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, Just like God told you.

18 Do not let them live to teach you their evil ways or lead you all into sin. You all mess around and end up sinning against the Lord.

Do Not Destroy Trees for Any Reason

19 When you are in a long siege trying to take a city, Do not chop down trees that give you food. They are not your enemy.

20 But if a tree do not give food, and you need to build ramps or siege gear, Go ahead and cut it. Just do not waste what is good.