Joshua 2:20-3:6

English Standard Version

²⁰ But if you ^(A)tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” ²¹ And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

²² They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing. ²³ Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and ^(B)passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. ²⁴ And they said to Joshua, “Truly ^(C)the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land ^(D)melt away because of us.”

Israel Crosses the Jordan

3 Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out ^(E)from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. ^2 (F)At the end of three days the officers went through the camp ³ and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by ^(G)the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. ^4 (H)Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits^[a] in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” ⁵ Then Joshua said to the people, ^(I)“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” ⁶ And Joshua said to the priests, ^(J)“Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.