⁴ Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens,^(A) so that we may make a name^(B) for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered^(C) over the face of the whole earth.”^(D)

²⁸ Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller^(A) than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites^(B) there.’”

⁴⁴ How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God^[a]?^(A)

¹³ And David became famous^(A) after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites^[a] in the Valley of Salt.^(B)

Not Because of Israel’s Righteousness

9 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan^(A) to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you,^(B) with large cities^(C) that have walls up to the sky.^(D)