¹⁶ The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron,^(A) both those in Beth Shan^(B) and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”^(C)

¹⁷ But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment^{(D) 18} but the forested hill country^(E) as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron^(F) and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

Going to War

20 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours,^(A) do not be afraid^(B) of them,^(C) because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with^(D) you.

¹⁹ The Lord was with^(A) the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country,^(B) but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had chariots fitted with iron.^(C)

³ Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron^(A) and had cruelly oppressed^(B) the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help.