Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Joshua rose early in the morning and led all the children of Israel from Shittim to come to the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing over. After three days, Joshua instructed his officers to go through the host.

When you see the ark of the Lord's covenant being carried by the Levitical priests, leave your place and follow it, but keep a space of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Joshua told the people, "Prepare yourselves today for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."

Joshua instructed the priests to take up the ark of the covenant and lead the way before the people. They obeyed, carrying the ark with them as they moved forward. The Lord announced to Joshua, "Today I will begin to honor you in the sight of all Israel. You are to command the priests who bear the ark, saying, 'When you have reached the brink of the waters of Jordan, stand still.'"

Joshua called out to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God." He continued, "This miracle will demonstrate that the living God is among you. He will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites."

Joshua explained that the ark of the Lord's covenant, which symbolizes God's presence on earth, would be crossing over into the Jordan River. He instructed the people to take twelve men from each tribe in Israel as a reminder of this momentous occasion.

As soon as the priests carrying the ark placed their feet in the water at the edge of the Jordan River, the waters stopped flowing from above and stood up in a massive heap far from the city of Adam, near Zaretan. Meanwhile, the waters flowing toward the Salt Sea ceased to flow, allowing the people to cross over on dry land opposite Jericho.

The priests carrying the ark stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan River while all the Israelites crossed over safely until every last person had passed over.