16 Destroy every nation that the Lord your God places in your power, and do not show them any mercy. Do not worship their gods, for that would be fatal.
17 “Do not tell yourselves that these peoples outnumber you and that you cannot drive them out.
18 Do not be afraid of them; remember what the Lord your God did to the king of Egypt and to all his people.
19 Remember the terrible plagues that you saw with your own eyes, the miracles and wonders, and the great power and strength by which the Lord your God set you free. In the same way that he destroyed the Egyptians, he will destroy all these people that you now fear.
20 He will even cause panic among them and will destroy those who escape and go into hiding.
21 So do not be afraid of these people. The Lord your God is with you; he is a great God and one to be feared.
22 Little by little he will drive out these nations as you advance. You will not be able to destroy them all at once, for, if you did, the number of wild animals would increase and be a threat to you.