⁶ The Lord’s hand^(A) was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation^(B) on them and afflicted them with tumors.^{[a](C) 7} When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.” ⁸ So they called together all the rulers^(D) of the Philistines and asked them, “What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?”

They answered, “Have the ark of the god of Israel moved to Gath.^(E)” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.

⁹ But after they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic.^(F) He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors.^{[b] 10} So they sent the ark of God to Ekron.^(G)

As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” ¹¹ So they called together all the rulers^(H) of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it^[c] will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it.

¹⁹ Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory^(A) to the Lord, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell^(B) me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

²⁴ A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,”^(A) they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”^(B)

⁷ He said in a loud voice, “Fear God^(A) and give him glory,^(B) because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made^(C) the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”^(D)