1
If thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and thou seest a multitude of knights, and of chariots, and a greater multitude of the adversary('s) host than (what) thou hast, thou shalt not dread them; for thy Lord God is with thee, that led thee out of the land of Egypt. (If thou goest out to battle against thy enemies, and thou seest a multitude of horsemen, and of chariots, and a greater multitude of the adversary's army than what thou hast, thou shalt not fear them; for the Lord thy God is with thee, who led thee out of the land of Egypt.)
2
Soothly when the battle nigheth now, the priest shall stand before the battle array, and thus he shall speak to the people (and he shall speak to the people thus),
3
Thou, Israel, hear today, ye have battle against your enemies; your heart dread not, be ye not afeared; do not ye give stead, dread ye not them; (Hear, O Israel, today ye shall do battle against your enemies; but do not let your heart fear, and do not be afraid; do not ye give place to panic, and do not ye fear them;)
4
for your Lord God is in the midst of you, and he shall fight for you against your adversaries, that he deliver you from peril. (for the Lord your God is in your midst, and he shall fight for you against your adversaries, so that he can save you from peril.)
5
But the leaders shall cry by all the companies, while the host shall hear, (and shall say,) Who is the man that hath builded a new house, and hath hallowed not it? go he and turn again into his house, lest peradventure he die in battle, and another man hallow it. (Then the leaders of the army shall say, in the hearing of all the people, Who is the man who hath built a new house, and hath not yet dedicated it? go he back, and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.)
6
Who is the man that (hath) planted a vinery, and hath not yet made it to be common, and of which it is leaveful to all men to eat? go he, and turn again into his house, lest peradventure he die in battle, and another man be set in his office. (Who is the man who hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet made it to be common, and therefore lawful for all men to eat of it? go he back, and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man enjoy its fruits.)
7
Who is the man that hath espoused a wife, and hath not (yet) taken her by fleshly knowing? go he, and turn again into his house, lest peradventure he die in battle, and another man take her. (Who is the man who hath espoused a wife, and hath not yet taken her in fleshly knowing? go he back, and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.)
8
When these things be said, the leaders of the host shall add to (them) other things, and they shall speak to the people, and say, Who is a fearful man, and of dreadful heart? go he, and turn again into his house, lest he make his brethren's hearts to dread, as he is aghast by dread. (When these things be said, the leaders of the army shall add other things, and they shall say to the people, Who is fearful, and hath a heart full of dread? go he back, and return to his house, lest he make his kinsmen's hearts to fear, just like his is filled with fear.)
9
And when the dukes of the host be still, and have made (an) end of speaking, each chieftain of thy host shall make ready his companies to battle. (And when the leaders of the army have finished speaking, they shall appoint a leader, or a chief man, for each company.)
10
If any time thou shalt go to a city to overcome it, first thou shalt proffer peace to it. (Now anytime that thou shalt go to attack a city, thou shalt first make an offer of peace to them, that is, thou shalt give them a chance to surrender.)