1. The next morning Joshua and all the people of Israel got up early, left the camp at Acacia, and went to the Jordan, where they camped while waiting to cross it.
2. Three days later the leaders went through the camp
3. and said to the people, “When you see the priests carrying the Covenant Box of the Lord your God, break camp and follow them.
4. You have never been here before, so they will show you the way to go. But do not get near the Covenant Box; stay about a kilometre behind it.”
5. Joshua said to the people, “Purify yourselves, because tomorrow the Lord will perform miracles among you.”
6. Then he told the priests to take the Covenant Box and go with it ahead of the people. They did as he said.
7. The Lord said to Joshua, “What I do today will make all the people of Israel begin to honour you as a great man, and they will realize that I am with you as I was with Moses.
8. Tell the priests carrying the Covenant Box that when they reach the river, they must wade in and stand near the bank.”
9. Then Joshua said to the people, “Come here and listen to what the Lord your God has to say.
10. As you advance, he will surely drive out the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. You will know that the living God is among you
11. when the Covenant Box of the Lord of all the earth crosses the Jordan ahead of you.
12. Now choose twelve men, one from each of the tribes of Israel.