²⁸ Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart,^[a](A) saying: The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, fortified to the heavens.^(B) We also saw the descendants of the Anakim^(C) there.’

⁵ All these were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides a large number of rural villages.

Warning against Self-Righteousness

9 “Listen, Israel: Today you are about to cross the Jordan to enter and drive out nations greater and stronger than you,^(A) with large cities fortified to the heavens.^(B)

¹² Now give me this hill country the Lord promised me on that day, because you heard then that the Anakim are there,^(A) as well as large fortified cities.^(B) Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised.”