Joshua 7

All 26 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1But the people of Israel committed a trespass regarding the things set apart for destruction. Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of these forbidden items. Because of this, the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
2. 2Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Bethaven, east of Bethel. He instructed them, 'Go up and explore the land.' So the men went and explored Ai.
3. 3When they came back, they reported to Joshua, "There's no need to send the whole army. Ai is small — just send 2 or 3 thousand men to attack it. Don't wear out the entire force for such a minor target."
4. 4So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled from the men of Ai.
5. 5The men of Ai killed about 36 Israelites, chasing them from the city gate to Shebarim and striking them down on the slopes. As a result, the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
6. 6Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown on the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there until evening. He and the elders of Israel put dust on their heads.
7. 7Joshua said, "Alas, O LORD God, why did you bring this people across the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!"
8. 8O LORD, what shall I say, when Israel turns their backs before their enemies!
9. 9When the Canaanites and all the people of the land hear about this, they will surround us and erase our name from the earth. What will you do for your great name then?
10. 10The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?"
11. 11Israel has sinned and violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the accursed things, stolen, lied about it, and hidden them among their own belongings.
12. 12That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and flee because they are accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you remove the accursed thing from among you.
13. 13Get up! Sanctify the people and say, "Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for thus says the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing among you, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you."
14. 14In the morning, you will come forward tribe by tribe. The tribe the LORD chooses will come forward family by family. The family the LORD chooses will come forward household by household. The household the LORD chooses will come forward man by man.
15. 15Whoever is found with the accursed thing will be burned with fire, along with everything he owns, because he has broken the covenant of the LORD and committed a disgraceful act in Israel.
16. 16Joshua got up early in the morning and brought Israel forward by their tribes. The tribe of Judah was chosen.
17. 17He brought forward the family of Judah, and the family of the Zarhites was chosen. He brought forward the family of the Zarhites man by man, and Zabdi was chosen.
18. 18He brought his household forward man by man, and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was chosen.
19. 19Joshua said to Achan, "My son, I pray you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and confess to Him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide anything from me."
20. 20Achan answered Joshua, "It's true—I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I have done:
21. 21When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing 50 shekels, I wanted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.
22. 22Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent. They found it hidden there, with the silver underneath.
23. 23They took the items from the middle of the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites, laying them out before the LORD.
24. 24Then Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan, the son of Zerah, along with the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and everything he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor.
25. 25Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? Today the LORD will trouble you." Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned them, they burned them with fire.
26. 26They piled a large heap of stones over him, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned away from his fierce anger. Therefore, the place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.