Joshua 3:4-15

New International Version

⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits^[a](A) between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

⁵ Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves,^(B) for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things^(C) among you.”

⁶ Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.

⁷ And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you^(D) in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.^{(E) 8} Tell the priests^(F) who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

⁹ Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. ¹⁰ This is how you will know that the living God^(G) is among you^(H) and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites,^(I) Hivites, Perizzites,^(J) Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.^{(K) 11} See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth^(L) will go into the Jordan ahead of you.^{(M) 12} Now then, choose twelve men^(N) from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. ¹³ And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth^(O)—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream^(P) will be cut off^(Q) and stand up in a heap.^(R)”

¹⁴ So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant^(S) went ahead^(T) of them. ¹⁵ Now the Jordan^(U) is at flood stage^(V) all during harvest.^(W) Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge,