Joshua 13:1-33 The Lord God Tells Joshua, the Land Still Needs to Be Conquered

 

The Lord God Tells Joshua, the Land Still Needs to Be Conquered

Joshua 13:1-33               The Book of Joshua [in Smaller Chunks]

Now, Joshua was old & stricken in years. The Lord said to him, You are old & stricken in years & there [still] remains much land to be possessed. This is the land that remains:

All the borders of the Philistines & all Geshuri, from Sihor, [east in front of] Egypt, to the borders of Ekron [on the north,] which is [considered] to [be the territory of] the [Canaanites, of the 5 Philistine rulers of Gaza of:] the Ashdothites, Eshkalonites, Gittites, Ekronites & also the Avites.

From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, [from] Mearah that is [next to] the Sidonians, to Aphek, [as far as] the borders of the Amorites. And the land of the Giblites & all Lebanon [eastward,] from Baal Gad [beneath] Mount Hermon to the [entrance] of Hamath.

All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim & all the Sidonians. I will drive them out before the children [people] of Israel. [Joshua,] only divide [the land] by lot to the Israelites for an inheritance, [like] I have commanded you.

Therefore, divide this land now for an inheritance to the 9 tribes & the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh. With whom the Reubenites & Gadites have [already] received their inheritance, [that] Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave them  [past] Jordan,[on the east side,] even [like] Moses, the servant of the Lord gave them.

[The land] from Aroer, upon the [river] bank of the Arnon River & the city that is [at] the middle of the river & [to] all the [plains] of Medeba to Dibon. All the cities of Sihon, the [Amorite’s] king, [who ruled] in Heshbon, [all the way to] the border of the [people] of Ammon.

And Gilead & the border of the Geshurites & Maachathites & all [of] Mount Hermon & all [of] Bashan to Salcah. All the kingdom of Og, in Bashan, [who ruled] in Ashtaroth & Edrei, of the giants [who remained.] For Moses [struck] these & [drove them] out.

[Still] the children [people] of Israel [didn’t drive out] the Geshurites & Maachathites, [who continue to live] among the Israelites [to] this day. [Moses didn’t give] the tribe of Levi [an] inheritance [of land because] the sacrifices [to] the Lord God of Israel made by fire, are their inheritance, [like] He said to them.

Moses gave to the tribe of the children [people] of Reuben [their] inheritance according to their families. Their [coastal border] was from Aroer, on the [river] bank of the Arnon River & the city [at the middle] of the river & all the [plains] by Medeba;

Hesbon & all [its] cities in the plain; Dibon & Bamoth Baal & Beth Baal Meon & Jahaza, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kirjathaim [a.k.a. Kiriathaim] & Sibmah, Zareth Shahar in the [mountains] of the valley & Beth Peor, Ashdoth Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth

And all the cities of the plain & all of the kingdom of Sihon, the [Amorite’s] king, [who ruled] in Heshbon, whom Moses [struck down along] with the princes of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur & Reba, [who] were [Sihon’s] dukes [who lived] in the country.

The [Israelites,] also [killed with the sword,] Balaam, the son of Beor, among the others [who were killed] by them. [Deuteronomy 23:45 Because they [didn’t meet] you with bread & water [on the road] when you came out of Egypt & because they hired against you, Balaam, [Beor’s] son, of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.

[Still,] the Lord your God wouldn’t [pay attention] to Balaam; but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing [for] you, because the Lord your God loved you.]

The border of the inheritance [of the people] of Reuben, according to their families, was Jordan & [the coastline] border [of the Jordan River] & [its] cities & villages. Moses gave [this] inheritance to the [people] of the tribe of Gad, according to their families.

Their [coastal border] was Jazer & all the cities of Gilead & 1/2 of the land of the [people] of Ammon, to Aroer, [that is in front of] Rabbah & from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpeh & Betonim & from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;

And in the valley, Beth Aram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth, Zaphon & the rest of the kingdom of Sihon, [Hesbon’s] king, Jordan & [its] border, even to the edge of the Sea of Chinnereth, on the other side of Jordan eastward.

This is the inheritance of the cities & villages [for] the children [people] of Gad, [according to] their families. Moses gave [an] inheritance to 1/2 [of] the tribe of [the people of] Manasseh. and this was the possession of the 1/2 tribe  of Manasseh, [according to] their families.

[Their coastal border] was from Mahanaim, all [of] Bahsan, all the kingdom of Og, [Bashan’s] king & all of [Jair’s] towns, which are 60 cities in Bashan & 1/2  [of] Gilead, Ashtaroth, Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og, in Bashan, [belonged to 1/2 of] the [people] of Machir [a.k.a. Makir,] the son of Manasseh, by their families.

These are the countries [that] Moses distributed for [an] inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side [of] Jordan, by Jericho, eastward. Moses [didn’t give] any inheritance to the tribe of Levi, [because the sacrifices of] the Lord God of Israel, [were] their inheritance, like] He said to them.

Joshua 12:1-24 God Gives the Inheritance Land to the Israelites from Conquered Kings

 

God Gives the Inheritance Land to the Israelites from Conquered Kings

Joshua 12:1-24               The Book of Joshua [in Smaller Chunks]

The children [people] of Israel [defeated] the kings of the land & possessed their land on the other side [of the] Jordan [River in the east.] From the Arnon River to Mount Hermon & all the [plains] on the east.

Sihon, the [Amorite’s] king, who [lived] in Heshbon & ruled from Aroer, on the [river] bank of [the] Arnon River, from the middle of the river & from 1/2 [of] Gilead, [as far as] the Jabbok River, [that] is the border of the children [people] of Ammon.

[Sihon ruled] from the plain of [Arabah] to the Chinneroth [a.k.a. the Chinnereth Sea eastward] & to the [Dead Sea a.k.a Salt Sea] of the plain [eastward, the road] to Beth Jeshimoth & from the south [below the slopes of] Ashdoth Pisgah.

The [coastal borders] of Og, [Bashan’s] king, [who was of the remaining] giants & [lived] in Ashtaroth & at Edrei. [Og ruled] in Mount Hermon & Salcah [a.k.a. Salecah] & in all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites & the Maachathites & 1/2 of Gilead, [which was] the border of Sihon, [Heshbon’s] king.

Moses, the servant of the Lord & the children [people] of Israel [defeated] them,  & Moses gave it for a possession to the Reubenites, Gadites & 1/2 of the tribe of Manasseh.

These are the kings of the [countries that] Joshua & the [people] of Israel [destroyed] on this side [of the] Jordan [River,] on the west, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon, even to Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir [that] Joshua gave to the tribes of Israel for a possession, according to their divisions.

In the mountains, valleys, plains, springs, wilderness & in the south country; [these were the lands of the:] Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites & Jebusites.

[This the order the 31 kings were killed by: Joshua & the Israelites on the west side of Jordan:] The king of Jericho, 1; the king of Ai which is beside Bethel,1; the king of Jerusalem,1; the king of Hebron, 1; the king of Jarmuth, 1; the king of Lachish, 1; the king of Eglon, 1;

the king of Gezer, 1; the king of Debir, 1; the king of Geder, 1; the king of Hormah, 1; the king of Arad, 1; the king of Libnah, 1; the king of Adullam, 1; the king of Makkedah, 1; the king of Bethel, 1; the king of Tappuah, 1;

the king of Hepher, 1; the king of Aphek, 1; the king of Lasharon, 1; the king of Madon, 1; the king of Hazor, 1; the king of Shimron Meron, 1; the king of Achshaph, 1; the king of Taanach, 1; the king of Megiddo, 1;

the king of Kedesh, 1; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, 1 ; the king of Dor [on] the coast of Dor, 1; the king of the nations of Gilgal, 1; the king of Tirzah, 1. All the kings [that were destroyed totaled] 31.

Joshua 11:1-23 The Kings of the Land Battle Against the Israelites Who Win by the Lord God

 

The Kings of the Land Battle Against the Israelites Who Win by the Lord God

Joshua 11:1-23               The Book of Joshua [in Smaller Chunks]

It [happened,] when Jabin, [Hazor’s] king, had heard he sent to Joab, [Madon’s] king & to the kings of: Simron & Achshaph. [Joshua 10:41-42 And Joshua [attacked] them from Kadesh Barnea, even to Gaza & all the country of Goshen, even to Gibeon. And all [their] kings & all their land, Joshua took at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.]

[He also sent] to the kings on the north [side] of the mountains & the plains south of Chinneroth & in the valleys & border of Dor, on the west & to the [Cannanites] on the east & west & to the [Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites & the Jebusites] in the mountains & to the [Hivites beneath Mount] Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

[The kings] & their [armies] all went out with them & [many] people [like] the sand upon the sea shore in multitude, with [many] horses & chariots. When all these kings met together, they came & [camped] together at the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

The Lord said to Joshua, [Don’t] be afraid, because of them. For I will deliver them up all [slain] before Israel tomorrow [around] this time. You shall [hamstring] their horses & burn their chariots with fire.

So, Joshua & all the people of war with him, came suddenly against them by the Waters of Merom & [attacked] them & the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who [struck] them & chased them into [Greater Sidon a.k.a. Zidon] & to Misrephoth Maim & to the Valley of Mizpeh eastward.

They [attacked] them, until none [remained.] Joshua did to them [like] the Lord [had told] him. He [hamstrung] their horses & burnt their chariots with fire. At that time, Joshua [returned] back & [captured] & [struck,] Hazor, [its] king, with the sword..

[Prior to this,] Hazor was the head of all those kingdoms. They [attacked] all the [people there] with the edge of the sword, [totally] destroying all [that] breathe & he burnt Hazor with fire.

Joshua [captured] all [these] kings & [their cities] & [struck] them with the edge of the sword & [totally] destroyed them, [like] Moses, the servant of the Lord commanded.

Joshua didn’t burn with fire [any of] the cities that [were built on mounds,] except for only Hazor. All the [livestock,] the [people] of Israel took for [plunder for] themselves; but they [struck] every man with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them & left [none breathing.]

Joshua did as Moses, the servant of the Lord [ordered] him, at the command of the Lord [God.] [Joshua didn’t leave anything] undone [that] the Lord commanded Moses.

So, Joshua [captured] all the land, the hills, the south country & all the land of Goshen, the valley, the plain & the [mountains] of Israel [its] valley & [foothills.]

[Joshua captured] all their kings, [struck & killed] them even from Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even to Baal Gad, in the Valley of Lebanon [beneath] Mount Hermon.

Joshua [was at war] a long time with all those kings. There wasn’t a city [who] made peace with the [people] of Israel, [except for] the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. All [the others,] they took in battle.

For the Lord [hardened the] hearts [of these kings] to battle against the [Israelites, [so Joshua wouldn’t have any mercy on them] & might [totally] destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Joshua came at that time & [destroyed] the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab & from all the mountains [& hill country] of Judah & Israel. Joshua [totally] destroyed them with their cities.

None of the Anakims were left in the land of the [people] of Israel. [There were only Anakims remaining] in Gaza, Gath & Ashdod.

So, Joshua [captured] all the land, according to all the Lord said to Moses. Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel, according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested [in peace] from war.

Joshua 10:1-43 The Israelites Assist the City of Gibeon, Against the Amorite Kings

 

The Israelites Assist the City of Gibeon, Against the Amorite Kings

Joshua 10:1-43               The Book of Joshua [in Smaller Chunks]

Now it [happened,] when Adoni Zedek, [Jerusalem’s] king, heard how Joshua had taken Ai & [totally] destroyed it & [its] king; [like] he had done to Jericho & [its] king & how [Gibeon’s] inhabitants had made peace with Israel & were among them.

They were [very afraid,] because Gibeon was a [large] city, [like] 1 of the royal cities & it was [larger] than Ai & all [its] men were mighty.

[Therefore,] Adoni Zekek, [Jerusalem’s] king, sent to Hoham, [Hebron’s] king, Piram, [Jarmuth’s] king, Japhia, [Lachish’s] king & Debir, [Eglon’s] king, saying, Come up to me & help me, [so] we may [attack] Gibeon.

For it has made peace with Joshua & with the children [people] of Israel. Therefore, the 5 [Amorite] kings, the kings of: Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish & Eglon gathered themselves together & went up [with] all their [armies.]

They [camped] before Gibeon & made war against it. The men of Gibeon sent to the camp of Gilgal, to Joshua, saying, [Don’t be slow to assist] your servants. Come up to us quickly, help us & save us.

For all the [Amorite] kings [who live] in the mountains are gathered together against us. So, Joshua & all [his] people of war & mighty men of valor, [went up] from Gilgal.

The Lord said to Joshua, [Don’t be fearful:] for I have delivered them into your hand. Not a man of them shall stand before you. Therefore, Joshua went all night from Gilgal & came to them suddenly.

The Lord [defeated] them before Israel & [killed] them with a great slaughter at Gibeon & chased them along the [road] that goes up to Beth Horon & [attacked] them [all the way] to Azekah & Makkedah.

It [happened,] as they fled before Israel & were going down to Beth Horon, the Lord cast down [large hail] stones from heaven upon them [all the way to] Azekah & they died.

[Those who] died by the hailstone were more than [those of] the [people] of Israel [killed] with the sword. Then, Joshua spoke to the Lord [on] the day when the Lord delivered the Amorites, before the [people] of Israel.

[Joshua] said in the sight of Israel, Sun, you stand still upon Gibeon & Moon, [stop] in the Valley of Ajalon. The sun stood still & the moon [stopped,] until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.

Isn’t this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven & didn’t go down [almost] the whole day. There was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord [paid attention to] the voice of a man.

For the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua returned & all of Israel with him to the camp [at] Gilgal. But the 5 kings fled & hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua was told, The 5 kings are found [hidden] in a cave at Makkedah.

Joshua said, Roll [large] stones upon the mouth of the cave & [put] men by it to [guard] them. [Don’t stop,] but pursue after your enemies & [attack] them [from behind.]

[Don’t allow] them to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God has delivered them into your [hands.] It [happened,] when Joshua & the [people] of Israel had [finished attacking] them with a [large] slaughter & [until] they were [destroyed.]

The rest [who] remained, entered into fenced cities. All the [Israelites] returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. None [spoke] against any of the [people] of Israel.

Then, Joshua said, Open the mouth of the cave & bring out of the cave, those 5 kings to me & [they did so.] They brought [out] of the cave, those 5 kings to Joshua. The [kings of:] Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish & Eglon.

It [happened,] when they brought out the kings to Joshua, he called for all the men of Israel & said to the captains of war [who] went with him, Come near & put your feet upon the necks of these kings & [they did so.]

Joshua said to them, [Don’] be fearful, nor discouraged.] Be strong & [courageous.] For the Lord will do this to all your enemies you fight against. Afterward, Joshua [struck & killed] the [kings] & [hung] their bodies on 5 trees until evening.

It [happened at sundown,] Joshua commanded & [had them taken] down off the trees & had them [thrown] into the cave [where they had been hidden] & [had large] stones [put] over the cave’s mouth, [that] remain there this very day.

That day, Joshua [captured] Makkedah & [struck] it with the edge of the sword. He [totally] destroyed [its] king & all [who were in it.] He [didn’t let any] remain. [Joshua] did to [Makkedah’s] king [like] he did to [Jericho’s] king.

Then, Joshua & all Israel with him [crossed] from Makkedah to Libnah & fought against Libnah. The Lord also delivered Libnah & [its] king into the hand of Israel. He smote it & all the [people within it] with the edge of the sword.

He let none remain & did to [its] king [like] he did to [Jericho’s] king. Joshua & all Israel with him [crossed] from Libnah to Lachish & [camped] against it & fought against it.

The Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which [captured] it on the 2nd day & [struck] it & [all the people within it] with the edge of the sword, [like] he had done to Libnah.

Then, Horam, [Gezer’s] king, came up to help Lachish & Joshua [attacked] him & his people until none [remained.] From Lachish, Joshua & all Israel with him [crossed] into Eglon & they [camped] against it & fought against it.

They [captured] it on that day & [struck] it & all [the people within it] with the edge of the sword, [like] he had done in Lachish. He [totally] destroyed that day, all [who were in there.] Joshua & all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron & they fought against it.

They [captured Hebron] & [struck] it, [Its] king, all [its] cities & [all its people within them] with the edge of the sword, [like] he had done to Eglon & [totally] destroyed it. He left none remaining [like] he had done to Eglon.

Joshua & all Israel with him, returned to Debir & fought against it. He [captured] it & [its] king, all [its] cities & all the people [within them] & [struck] them with the edge of the sword & [totally] destroyed all & left none remaining [like] he did to Hebron, Debir, & Libnah & [their kings.]

So, Joshua [attacked] all the hill country, the south, the [valley,] the springs & all their kings. He left none remaining & [totally] destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel commanded.

Joshua, even [attacked] them from Kadesh Barnea [all the way to] Gaza & all the country of Goshen, even to Gibeon. All these kings & their land, Joshua took at 1 time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel. And Joshua & all Israel with him, returned to the camp in Gilgal.

Joshua 9:1-27 Being Fooled into a Treaty with the City of Gibeon of the Hivites

 

Being Fooled into a Treaty with the City of Gibeon of the Hivites

Joshua 9:1-27               The Book of Joshua [in Smaller Chunks]

It [happened,] when all the Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite & Jebusite kings on this side [of] Jordan, in the hills, valleys & coasts of [the Mediterranean Sea up to] Lebanon heard [of it;]

They gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua & Israel & [united like 1 army.] When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho & Ai, they worked [deceitfully] & [acted as if] they had been ambassadors & [put] old sacks upon their [mules with] old [torn & mended] wine bottles.

[They had] old [patched] shoes upon their feet & [wore] old [clothing] & all the bread [they brought] was dry & moldy. They went to the camp at Gilgal, to Joshua & said to him & the men of Israel, We [have] come from a [distant] country. Therefore, make a [treaty] with us now.

The [Israelite] men said to the [Gibeonites of] the Hivites, [If] you [live] among us, how shall we make a [treaty] with you? They said to Joshua, We are your servants.

Joshua said to them, Who are you? [Where] did you come from? They said to [Joshua, We,] your servants, have come from a very [distant] country, because of the Name of the Lord your God.

For we have heard of His fame & all He did in Egypt & all He did to the [Amorite’s] 2 kings beyond [the] Jordan, to Sihon, [Heshbon’s] king & Og, [Bashan’s] king, [who] was at Ashtaroth.

[Therefore,] our elders & the inhabitants of our country said to us, Take [food] with you for the journey & go & meet them & say to them, We are your servants, therefore make a [treaty] with us.

We took this bread hot for our provisions [from] our [homes] the [day we left to come here;] but now, [look, it’s] dry & moldy. These bottles of wine, we filled, [when] they were new & [look] they are [torn.]

Our [clothing] & shoes [have become] old, [because of] the very long journey. The men took [some of their food & didn’t] ask for [guidance] from the mouth of the Lord.

Joshua made peace with them & made a [treaty] with them, to let them live & the princes of the congregation [swore in agreement with] them.

It [happened,] at the end of 3 days, after they had made a [treaty] with [the Gibeonites,] the [Israelites] heard they were their neighbors [who lived near] them.

The children [people] of Israel, journeyed 3 days & came to the cities: Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth & Kirjath Jearim. The [people] of Israel [didn’t attack] them, because of the [treaty] the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel.

All the congregation [of Israelites complained] against the princes. But all the princes said to the congregation, We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel: therefore we may not touch them.

We will do this to them & we will let them live, lest anger is upon us, because of the oath we swore to them. The princes said, [In addition to letting] them live, we will let them be our wood [cutters] & our water [carriers] for all the congregation; as the [Israelite] princes promised them.

Joshua called for them & spoke to [the Gibeonites,] saying, [Why] have you [deceived] us, saying, We are [from] very far [away] from you, when you [live near] us? Therefore, you are now cursed & none of you shall be freed from being bondmen & wood [cutters] & water [carriers for] the house of my God.

[The Gibeonites] answered Joshua & said, Because, we, your servants, were certainly told, [that] the Lord your God commanded Moses to give you all the land & to destroy [its] inhabitants before you.

Therefore, we were [very] afraid [for] our lives, because of you & we have done this thing. Now [look,] we are in your [hands.] [Do] as it seems good & right to you to do to us.

[Joshua  did this] to them & delivered them out of the hand of the [people] of Israel, [so] they [didn’t kill] them. That day, Joshua made [the Gibeonites] wood [cutters] & water [carriers] for the congregation & for the altar of the Lord, in the place He [would] choose, even [until] this day.

Joshua 8:1-35 Conquering the City of Ai

 

Conquering the City of Ai

Joshua 8:1-35               The Book of Joshua [in Smaller Chunks]

The Lord said to Joshua, [Don’t be fearful or discouraged.] Take all the [men] of war with you & arise & go up to Ai. See, I have given the king of Ai, his people, his city & his land, into your hand.

You shall do to Ai & [its] king, [just as you did] to Jericho & her king. You shall take [as plunder] for yourself, only [its livestock.] Lay an ambush behind the city. So, Joshua arose & all  the [men] of war, to go up against Ai.

Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor & sent them away [at] night. He commanded them, saying, [Look,] you shall lie in wait behind the city. Don’t go very far from the city & all [of] you be ready.

The people [who] are with me & I  will approach the city. It shall [happen,] when they come out against us, [like the 1st time,] we will flee [in front of them.] (For they will come out after us) [until] we have drawn them from the city:

For they will say, They flee before us, [like] the 1st [time.] Therefore, we will flee [in front of them.] Then, we shall rise up from the ambush & seize the city, for the Lord your God will deliver it into your [hands.]

It shall [happen,] when you have taken the city, you shall set the city on fire. You shall do according to the command of the Lord, [like] I have [ordered] you.

Therefore, Joshua sent them [out] & they went to lie in ambush & [stayed] on the west side of Ai, between Bethel & Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people [of Israel.]

Joshua rose up early in the morning & numbered the people. [Joshua] & the elders went up before the [Israelites] to Ai. All the people, [including] the people of war that were with him & went up & [came close] to the [front] of the city.

They pitched [their tents] on the north side of Ai. Now, there was a valley between them and Ai. [Joshua] took about 5,000 men & [had] them lie in ambush between Bethel & Ai on the west side of the city.

When [all] the people were [positioned] & all the [army] was on the north [side] of the city & [those on] the west [side, who lie] in wait [to ambush;] Joshua went into the [middle] of the valley that night.

It [happened,] when [Ai’s] king saw it, they [hurried] & rose up early. The [king,] the men of the city & all the people went out against Israel to battle, at the appointed time, [in front of the plain,] but the [king didn’t know] there were [those lying] in wait behind the city [to] ambush them.

Joshua & all Israel [acted] as if they were beaten before them & fled by the [road] of the wilderness. All of [Ai’s] people called [out] to pursue together after Joshua & [they] were drawn away from the city.

There wasn’t a man left in Ai or Bethel, [who didn’t go] out after Israel. They left the city open & pursued after Israel. The Lord said to Joshua, Stretch out the spear in your hand toward Ai; for I will give [the city] into your hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear in his hand toward the city.

The [ambushers] arose quickly out of their place & ran [out] as soon as [Joshua] stretched out his hand. They entered into the city & [captured] it & [hurried] & set the city on fire.

When the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw the smoke of the city [going] up to heaven & they had no power to flee this way or that way. The [Israelites who had] fled into the wilderness, turned back upon the pursuers.

When Joshua & all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city & that the smoke of the city ascended up, they then [returned] again & [killed] the men of Ai. [The Israelites inside the] city, [came out] against them.

So they were in the [middle] of [the Israelites,] some on this side & some on that side. [They struck them down,] so that none of them [remained or escaped.] They took [Ai’s] king alive & brought him to Joshua.

It [happened,] when Israel had made an end of [killing all of Ai’s] inhabitants in the field, in the wilderness [where] they chased them & when they had been [struck] with the edge of the sword & were [destroyed, then] all the Israelites returned to Ai & [struck] it with the edge of the sword.

So it was, all [who] fell that day [of] both me & women were 12,000, even all the men of Ai. For Joshua [didn’t pull back] his hand he used to [hold] out the spear, until they had [totally] destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.

Israel took only the [livestock & the plunder] of that city, for themselves, according to the word [that] the Lord [had] commanded Joshua. Joshua burnt Ai & made it a desolate heap forever, even [until] this day.

[Joshua had hung Ai’s] king on a tree until [twilight.] As soon as the sun set, Joshua commanded that they should take down his [carcass] from the tree & [throw] it by the [entrance] gate of the city.

They [put] a heap of stones [on it where] they remain to this day. Then, Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal, [like] Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded the children [people] of Israel.

[Like] it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar [should be made] of whole stones, [in which] no iron [tools have been used.] They offered burnt offerings to the Lord [on it] & sacrificed Peace Offerings.

[Joshua] wrote a copy of Moses’ Law upon the stones in the presence of the children [people] of Israel. And all Israel, their elders, officers & their judges stood on this side [of] the Ark.

On the [other] side stood the priests, the Levites, [who carried] the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, as well [as the strangers] & [those who were] born among them.

Half of them [were] over against Mount Gerizim & half were over against Mount Ebal; as Moses, the servant of the Lord, [had previously] commanded, that they should bless the people of Israel.

Afterward, [Joshua] read all the words of the Law, the blessings & [curses,] according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.

[There] wasn’t a word that Moses commanded, [that] Joshua didn’t read before the congregation of Israel, with the women & little ones & the strangers [living] among them.