Joshua 3

1Joshua rose early in the morning, and they set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan—he and all the children of Israel—and lodged there before they crossed over.

2It was at the end of three days that the officers passed through the midst of the camp.

3They commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then set out from your place and follow it."

4Yet keep a distance between you and it of about two thousand cubits by measure; do not come near it, so that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.

5Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow Yahweh will do wonders among you."

6Joshua told the priests, "Carry the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people." They carried the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.

7Yahweh said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you before all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, I will be with you."

8You shall command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.'

9Joshua said to the children of Israel, "Come here and hear the words of Yahweh your God."

10Joshua said, "By this you will know that the living God is among you, and he will surely drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites."

11See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth crosses before you into the Jordan.

12Now take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from each tribe.

13When the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of Yahweh, lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off from the waters coming down from above, and they will stand in one heap.

14When the people departed their tents to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went before the people.

15When those carrying the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark dipped into the water's edge—for the Jordan was full over all its banks all the days of harvest—

16The waters flowing down from above stood still and rose into one heap a vast distance from Adam the city beside Zaretan, while those flowing toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, ceased and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

17The priests carrying the ark of Yahweh's covenant stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, and all Israel crossed over on dry ground until all the nation had completely passed over the Jordan.