⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes^(A) and fell facedown^(B) to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening.^(C) The elders of Israel^(D) did the same, and sprinkled dust^(E) on their heads. ⁷ And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord, why^(F) did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?^(G) If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! ⁸ Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? ⁹ The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth.^(H) What then will you do for your own great name?^(I)”

The Covenant Renewed at Mount Ebal

³⁰ Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal^(A) an altar^(B) to the Lord, the God of Israel, ³¹ as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool^(C) had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.^(D)