1. Jericho was bolted and barred shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one could enter or leave.
2. The Lord said to Joshua, “I am about to hand Jericho, its king, and its warriors over to you.
3. All the soldiers will march around the city once a day for six days.
4. Seven priests will carry rams’ horns ahead of the ark. But on the seventh day you must march around the city seven times while the priests blow their horns.
5. When you hear a long blast on the horn, all the troops must shout very loudly. The wall around the city will collapse. Then the troops must charge straight ahead into the city.”
6. Joshua, son of Nun, summoned the priests. He said to them, “Pick up the ark of the promise, and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns ahead of the Lord’s ark.”
7. He told the troops, “March around the city. Let the armed men march ahead of the Lord’s ark.”
8. After Joshua had given orders to the troops, the seven priests carrying the seven rams’ horns ahead of the Lord marched off as they blew their horns. The ark of the Lord’s promise followed them.
9. The armed men went ahead of the priests, who blew their horns. The rear guard followed the ark while the priests continued to blow their horns.
10. Joshua ordered the troops, “Don’t shout, make any noise, or let one word come out of your mouth until I tell you to shout. Then shout!”
11. So the Lord’s ark went around the city once. Then they went back to the camp and stayed there for the night.
12. Joshua got up early in the morning. The priests carried the Lord’s ark.