²⁸ and ahead of you I will send hornets^[a] to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. ²⁹ But I will not drive them all out before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild animals multiply against you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have grown numerous enough to take possession of the land.

^17 (A)If you say to yourselves, “These nations are more numerous than we. How can we dispossess them?” ¹⁸ do not be afraid of them. Rather, remember clearly what the Lord, your God, did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: ¹⁹ the great testings which your own eyes have seen, the signs and wonders, the strong hand and outstretched arm with which the Lord, your God, brought you out. The same also will he do to all the peoples of whom you are now afraid. ²⁰ Moreover, the Lord, your God, will send hornets among them, until those who are left and those who are hiding from you are destroyed.^{(B) 21} Therefore, do not be terrified by them, for the Lord, your God, who is in your midst, is a great and awesome God. ²² He will remove these nations before you little by little. You cannot finish with them quickly, lest the wild beasts become too numerous for you.^{(C) 23} The Lord, your God, will give them over to you and throw them into utter panic until they are destroyed.^{(D) 24} He will deliver their kings into your power, that you may make their names perish from under the heavens. No one will be able to stand up against you,^(E) till you have destroyed them.