Deuteronomy 7

Destroy the Nations in the Land, No Mercy!

1 “When the Lord your God brings you into the land you all about to take over, He will clear out seven nations bigger and stronger than you, the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.”

2 “When the Lord hands them over to you, you all must destroy them completely! No treaties, no mercy!”

3 “Do not intermarry with them! Do not let your sons marry their daughters, and do not let your daughters marry their sons!”

4 “Because they will turn your kids away from God, and they will start worshiping fake gods. Then the Lord will get angry and wipe you all out fast.”

5 “Instead, tear down their altars, smash their idols, burn their statues, and destroy their shrines!”

You Are God’s Special People

6 “You all are God’s chosen people, set apart just for Him. Out of all the nations, He chose YOU to be His own.”

7 “He did not pick you all because you were the biggest nation, you were actually the smallest!”

8 “But He chose you all because He loves you and because He made a promise to your ancestors. That is why He brought you out of Egypt with His mighty hand.”

9 “Know this: The Lord your God is faithful. He keeps His promises for a thousand generations to those who love Him and obey His commands.”

10 “But for those who hate Him, He repays them directly, wiping them out! He does not play!”

11 “So obey these commands, laws, and rules that I am giving you today.”

If You Obey, You Will Prosper

12 “If you all obey the Lord and keep His commands, He will bless you and keep His covenant with you.”

13 “He will love you, bless you, and make you prosper. He will multiply your families, give you many children, bless your land with good crops, plenty of livestock, and a full harvest.”

14 “You will be blessed more than any other nation. None of your people will be childless, and your animals will have plenty of offspring.”

15 “The Lord will keep you healthy. He will not let you suffer the diseases you saw in Egypt. Instead, He will put those diseases on your enemies!”

Destroy All the Wicked Nations

16 “Destroy every nation the Lord gives you, do not pity them and do not worship their gods, or you will fall into a trap.”

17 “If you start thinking, ‘Man, these nations are too strong for us. How will we defeat them,’?”

18 “Do not be afraid! Just remember what God did to Pharaoh and Egypt!”

19 “Remember the plagues, the miracles, and how God brought you out with His mighty power, He is going to do the same thing to these nations!”

20 “He will send fear and panic on them until they are completely wiped out.”

21 “Do not be scared, because the Lord your God is with you, a mighty and awesome God!”

22 “He will clear out these nations little by little. He will not do it all at once, otherwise, wild animals would take over the land before you do.”

23 “But the Lord will hand them over to you, and you will completely destroy them.”

24 “He will put their kings in your hands, and no one will be able to stop you.”

Destroy Their Idols, Do Not Even Keep the Gold

25 “Burn their idols! Do not take the gold or silver off them, or it will be a trap for you! That stuff is cursed!”

26 “Do not bring anything cursed into your house, or YOU will be cursed too! Destroy it completely, it is evil!”