Read the Modern Pastor’s Version
Select a book and chapter to read the MPV in modern, pastor-shaped English. This view shows the reading edition of the text in paragraphs.
Currently viewing: Joshua 5 · MPV reading edition
When all the kings of the Amorites who lived west of the Jordan River and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard that the Lord had dried up the Jordan River for the Israelites until they crossed over, their hearts melted in fear. They lost their courage because of the Israelites.
At that time, the Lord spoke to Joshua, "Now it's time for a new generation to take its place. Have sharp knives made and circumcise the Israelites again." Joshua obeyed and had the men sharpen their blades. Then he circumcised all the Israelite males at the hill of foreskins.
All those who had come out of Egypt were already circumcised, but those born during the wilderness journey after leaving Egypt had not been circumcised. For 40 years, these Israelites walked through the wilderness until the men who had originally left Egypt as warriors died off, consumed by God's judgment because they refused to obey Him. Their children, whom God raised up in their place, were now circumcised by Joshua.
After completing the circumcision, everyone remained in their tents within the camp until they healed. The Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have lifted the shame of slavery from you." From that day forward, the place was called Gilgal.
The Israelites set up camp at Gilgal and observed the Passover on the 14th day of the month, just as the sun began to set in the Jericho valley. The next day, they ate some old grain from the land, eating unleavened bread and parched grain all together.
On that same day after eating the old grain, God stopped providing manna for the Israelites. They no longer relied on this miraculous food but instead started eating from the crops of the Canaanite land in that year.
As Joshua was at Jericho, he noticed a man standing opposite him with his sword drawn. Joshua approached and asked, "Are you here to help us or fight against our enemies?" The stranger replied, "I am not taking sides. I'm the commander of the Lord's army." Joshua fell facedown in worship and asked, "What does my Lord say to me?"
The commander of the Lord's army said, "Take off your sandals. This holy ground is where you stand."