Deuteronomy:20:1-20

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* If thou go out to war against thy enemies , and see horsemen and chariots , and the numbers of the enemy 's army greater than thine , thou shalt not fear them : because the Lord thy God is with thee , who brought thee out of the land of Egypt . * And when the battle is now at hand , the priest shall stand before the army , and shall speak to the people in this manner : * Hear , O Israel , you join battle this day against your enemies , let not your heart be dismayed , be not afraid , do not give back , fear ye them not : * Because the Lord your God is in the midst of you , and will fight for you against your enemies , to deliver you from danger . * And the captains shall proclaim through every band in the hearing of the army : What man is there , that hath built a new house , and hath not dedicated it ? let him go and return to his house , lest he die in the battle , and another man dedicate it . * What man is there , that hath planted a vineyard , and hath not as yet made it to be common , whereof all men may eat ? let him go , and return to his house , lest he die in the battle , and another man execute his office . * What man is there , that hath espoused a wife , and not taken her ? let him go , and return to his house , lest he die in the war , and another man take her . * After these things are declared they shall add the rest , and shall speak to the people : What man is there that is fearful , and faint hearted ? let him go , and return to his house , lest he make the hearts of his brethren to fear , as he himself is possessed with fear . * And when the captains of the army shall hold their peace , and have made an end of speaking , every man shall prepare their bands to fight . * If at any time thou come to fight against a city , thou shalt first offer it peace . * If they receive it , and open the gates to thee , all the people that are therein , shall be saved , and shall serve thee paying tribute . * But if they will not make peace , and shall begin war against thee , thou shalt besiege it . * And when the Lord thy God shall deliver it into thy bands , thou shalt slay all that are therein of the male sex , with the edge of the sword , * Excepting women and children , cattle and other things , that are in the city . And thou shalt divide all the prey to the army , and thou shalt eat the spoils of thy enemies , which the Lord thy God shall give thee . * So shalt thou do to all cities that are at a great distance from thee , and are not of these cities which thou shalt receive in possession . * But of those cities that shall be given thee , thou shalt suffer none at all to live : * But shalt kill them with the edge of the sword , to wit , the Hethite , and the Amorrhite , and the Chanaanite , the Pherezite , and the Hevite , and the Jebusite , as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee : * Lest they teach you to do all the abominations which they have done to their gods : and you should sin against the Lord your God . * When thou hast besieged a city a long time , and hath compassed it with bulwarks to take it , thou shalt not cut down the trees that may be eaten of , neither shalt thou spoil the country round about with axes : for it is a tree , and not a man , neither can it increase the number of them that fight against thee . * But if there be any trees that are not fruitful , but wild , and fit for other uses , cut them down , and make engines , until thou take the city , which fighteth against thee .

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