The Sun Stands Still

10 Now Adoni-Zedek^(A) king of Jerusalem^(B) heard that Joshua had taken Ai^(C) and totally destroyed^[a](D) it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and that the people of Gibeon^(E) had made a treaty of peace^(F) with Israel and had become their allies. ² He and his people were very much alarmed at this, because Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were good fighters. ³ So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem appealed to Hoham king of Hebron,^(G) Piram king of Jarmuth,^(H) Japhia king of Lachish^(I) and Debir^(J) king of Eglon.^{(K) 4} “Come up and help me attack Gibeon,” he said, “because it has made peace^(L) with Joshua and the Israelites.”

⁵ Then the five kings^(M) of the Amorites^(N)—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon—joined forces. They moved up with all their troops and took up positions against Gibeon and attacked it.

⁶ The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal:^(O) “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.”

⁷ So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army,^(P) including all the best fighting men. ⁸ The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid^(Q) of them; I have given them into your hand.^(R) Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”^(S)

⁹ After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. ¹⁰ The Lord threw them into confusion^(T) before Israel,^(U) so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon.^(V) Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon^(W) and cut them down all the way to Azekah^(X) and Makkedah.^{(Y) 11} As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones^(Z) down on them,^(AA) and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.

¹² On the day the Lord gave the Amorites^(AB) over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:

as it is written in the Book of Jashar.^(AE)

The sun stopped^(AF) in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. ¹⁴ There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting^(AG) for Israel!

¹⁵ Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.^(AH)

Five Amorite Kings Killed

¹⁶ Now the five kings had fled^(AI) and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. ¹⁷ When Joshua was told that the five kings had been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah, ¹⁸ he said, “Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it. ¹⁹ But don’t stop; pursue your enemies! Attack them from the rear and don’t let them reach their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand.”

²⁰ So Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely,^(AJ) but a few survivors managed to reach their fortified cities.^{(AK) 21} The whole army then returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one uttered a word against the Israelites.

²² Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” ²³ So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon. ²⁴ When they had brought these kings^(AL) to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, “Come here and put your feet^(AM) on the necks of these kings.” So they came forward and placed their feet^(AN) on their necks.

²⁵ Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.^(AO) This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” ²⁶ Then Joshua put the kings to death and exposed their bodies on five poles, and they were left hanging on the poles until evening.

²⁷ At sunset^(AP) Joshua gave the order and they took them down from the poles and threw them into the cave where they had been hiding. At the mouth of the cave they placed large rocks, which are there to this day.^(AQ)

Southern Cities Conquered

²⁸ That day Joshua took Makkedah. He put the city and its king to the sword and totally destroyed everyone in it. He left no survivors.^(AR) And he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.^(AS)

²⁹ Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Makkedah to Libnah^(AT) and attacked it. ³⁰ The Lord also gave that city and its king into Israel’s hand. The city and everyone in it Joshua put to the sword. He left no survivors there. And he did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho.

³¹ Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish;^(AU) he took up positions against it and attacked it. ³² The Lord gave Lachish into Israel’s hands, and Joshua took it on the second day. The city and everyone in it he put to the sword, just as he had done to Libnah. ³³ Meanwhile, Horam king of Gezer^(AV) had come up to help Lachish, but Joshua defeated him and his army—until no survivors were left.

³⁴ Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Lachish to Eglon;^(AW) they took up positions against it and attacked it. ³⁵ They captured it that same day and put it to the sword and totally destroyed everyone in it, just as they had done to Lachish.

³⁶ Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron^(AX) and attacked it. ³⁷ They took the city and put it to the sword, together with its king, its villages and everyone^(AY) in it. They left no survivors. Just as at Eglon, they totally destroyed it and everyone in it.

³⁸ Then Joshua and all Israel with him turned around and attacked Debir.^{(AZ) 39} They took the city, its king and its villages, and put them to the sword. Everyone in it they totally destroyed. They left no survivors. They did to Debir and its king as they had done to Libnah and its king and to Hebron.^(BA)

⁴⁰ So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev,^(BB) the western foothills and the mountain slopes,^(BC) together with all their kings.^(BD) He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded.^{(BE) 41} Joshua subdued them from Kadesh Barnea^(BF) to Gaza^(BG) and from the whole region of Goshen^(BH) to Gibeon. ⁴² All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought^(BI) for Israel.

⁴³ Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.^(BJ)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(B) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(C) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(D) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(E) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(G) make the most of every opportunity.^{(H) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(I) seasoned with salt,^(J) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(K)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(L) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[a](M) in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^{(N) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(O) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(P) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(Q) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(R) the cousin of Barnabas.^(S) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[c] among my co-workers^(T) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(U) who is one of you^(V) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(W) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(X) and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(Y) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke,^(Z) the doctor, and Demas^(AA) send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(AB) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(AC)

¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(AD) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus:^(AE) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(AF)

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(AG) Remember^(AH) my chains.^(AI) Grace be with you.^(AJ)

5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(A) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(B) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(C) and gave himself up for us^(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(E)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(I) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(J)—has any inheritance^(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](L) 6} Let no one deceive you^(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(N) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(O) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(Q) 9} (for the fruit^(R) of the light consists in all goodness,^(S) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(T) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(U) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live^(Z)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(AA) because the days are evil.^{(AB) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(AC) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(AD) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(AE) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(AF) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(AG) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(AH)

²¹ Submit to one another^(AI) out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(AJ) as you do to the Lord.^{(AK) 23} For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(AL) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(AM) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(AN) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(AO) 26} to make her holy,^(AP) cleansing^[b] her by the washing^(AQ) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(AR) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(AS) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(AT) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body.^{(AU) 31} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[c](AV) 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife^(AW) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.