For you are about to cross the Jordan to possess the land the Lord your God is giving you, and you will possess and inhabit it.

When the Lord your God destroys the nations whose land he is about to give you and you dispossess them and settle in their cities and houses,

If the Lord your God enlarges your borders as he promised your ancestors and gives you all the land he pledged to them,

When you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep going astray, do not ignore it; you must return it without fail to your neighbor.

If controversy arises between people, they should go to court for judgment. When the judges hear the case, they shall exonerate the innocent but condemn the guilty.

So we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and he heard us and saw our humiliation, toil, and oppression.

Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Pay attention to all the commandments I am giving you today.

So when you cross the Jordan you must erect on Mount Ebal these stones about which I am commanding you today, and you must cover them with plaster.

“The following tribes must stand to bless the people on Mount Gerizim when you cross the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

“Therefore, keep the terms of this covenant and obey them so that you may be successful in everything you do.

The Lord your God will also cleanse your heart and the hearts of your descendants so that you may love him with all your mind and being and so that you may live.

Be strong and brave! You must lead these people in the conquest of this land that I solemnly promised their ancestors I would hand over to them.

Any man who rebels against what you say and does not obey all your commands will be executed. But be strong and brave!”

that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and rescue us from death.”

That day the Lord brought honor to Joshua before all Israel. They respected him all his life, just as they had respected Moses.

He has done this so all the nations of the earth might recognize the Lord’s power and so you might always obey the Lord your God.”

Have all the warriors march around the city one time; do this for six days.

When you capture the city, set it on fire. Do as the Lord says! See, I have given you orders.”

When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that the city was going up in smoke, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai.

“Come to my aid so we can attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.”