# Just as God lives

This is a very strong vow. Alternate translation: "With God as my witness" or "God will affirm that I mean what I say"

# if you had not said that ... pursued their brothers until the morning

This contrafactual statement tells what would have happened if Abner had not spoken wisely to Joab. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo]])