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The Book of Josua

or Joshua

 

Chapters 1-7 | 8-12 | 13-20 | 21-end | Next Book


 

The 8th Chapter

      And the Lord said unto Josua: fear not, nor dread: but take all the men of war with thee, and up and get thee to Ai. Behold I have given into thy hand, the king of Ai, and his people, his city and his land. And thou shalt do to Ai and her king, as thou didst unto Jericho and her king. Nevertheless the spoil and cattle thereof, ye shall take unto yourselves. But lay a watch unto the town on the backside thereof.
      And then Josua arose and all the men of war, to go up unto Ai. And Josua chose out thirty thousand men of war, and sent them by night. And he commanded them saying: See that ye lie await unto the town on the backside thereof. Go not very far from the city, and see that ye be all ready. And I and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city. And when they come out against us, as at the first time, then will we flee before them. And they will come out after us, until we have plucked them away from the city. For they will say, they flee before us, as at the first time: for we will flee before them. Then shall ye rise up from lying await and destroy the city: For the Lord your God will deliver it into your hands. As soon therefore as ye have taken the city, see that ye set it on fire. According to the commandment of the Lord see that ye do, behold, I have charged you.
      And Josua sent them forth, and they went to lie await, and lay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. But Josua lodged that night among the people. And he rose up early in the morning and numbered the people and went up, both he and the elders of Israel before the people, unto Ai. And all the men of war that were with him, went up and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai, a valley being between them and Ai, and he took upon a five thousand men and put them to lie await, between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. And he put the people even all the host, on the north side of the city, and the layers await on the west. And Josua went the same night into the midst of the valley.
      And when the king of Ai saw that they hasted and rose up early, then the people of the city went out against Israel, to battle, both the King and all his people, at a time appointed, even before the plain, and knew not that there were layers await on the backside of the city.
      And Josua and Israel were put to the worse before them, and fled toward the wilderness. And all the people of the town cried to follow after them. And they followed after Josua till they were drawn away from the city: So that there was not a man left in Ai, or in Bethel, that went not out after Israel. And they left the city open and followed after Israel.
      Then the Lord said unto Josua stretch out the buckler that is in thine hand toward Ai, for I have given thee it. And Josua stretched out the buckler that was in his hand, toward the city. And the layers await rose quickly out of their places, and ran, as soon as Josua had stretched out his hand, and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set it on fire. And when the men of Ai looked back after them and saw. Behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. And they had no place to flee either this way or that, for the people that fled to the wilderness turned back again upon the followers.
      And when Josua and all Israel saw that the layers await had taken the city and that the smoke of it ascended. They turned again and laid on the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them. And so were they in the midst of Israel, these being on the one side of them, and the rest on the other. And they laid upon them, so that they let none either remain or escape. And the King of Ai they took alive and brought him to Josua. And when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabiters of Ai in the fields and in the wilderness by which they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the Edge of the sword, until they were wasted. Then all Israel returned unto Ai and smote it with the edge of the sword. And all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.
      For Josua plucked not his hand back again which he stretched out with the buckler, until they had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Only the cattle and the spoil of the said city, Israel took unto themselves, according unto the word of the Lord, which he commanded Josua. And Josua set Ai on fire and made it an heap for ever and a wilderness, even unto this day. And the king of Ai he hanged on tree, until evening. And as soon as the *son was down, Josua commanded and they took the carcass down off the tree, and cast it in the entering of the gate of the city, and cast theron a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
       Then Josua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel, in mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, according as it is written in the book of the law of Moses: an altar of rough stone over which no tool of iron was lifted. And they sacrificed theron burnt sacrifice, and offered peaceofferings. And he wrote there upon the stones the second law of Moses which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
      And all Israel and the elders thereof, and their officers and Judges stood, part on this side the ark, and part on that side, before the priests: that were Levites which bare the ark of the appointment of the Lord: as well the stranger, as they that were born among them: half of them on the forefront of the Mount of Garizim, and half of them on the forefront of mount Ebal: as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, first to bless the people of Israel. And after that he read all the words of the law, both the blessing and cursing, according to all that is written in the book of the law: so that there was not one word of all that Moses commanded, which Josua read not, before all the congregation of Israel, with women and children and the strangers that were among them.

 

*son exact spelling sonne, elsewhere in the text sun is spelled sunne.

 

 

 

The 9th Chapter

      And when all the kings that dwell on this side Jordan, in the hills and valleys, and along by all the coasts of the great sea, even unto Libanon, the Hethites, the Amorites, the Cananites, the Pheresites, the Hevites, and the Jebusites heard: they gathered themselves together to fight against Josua and Israel with one accord.
      But when the *Enhabiters of Gabaon heard what Josua had done unto Jericho, and Ai, they played wilely, and went and sent ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their Asses, and wine bottles old and rent and knit together again, and old clouted shoes upon their feet, and old raiment upon them and all their provision of bread was dried up and hoared. And they came unto Josua unto the host, to Galgall and said unto him and unto the men of Israel: we be come from a far country, now therefore make agreement with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hevites, peradventure you dwell among us, and then how should we make peace with you.
      And they said unto Josua, we are thy servants. And Josua said unto them, what are ye: and whence come ye? And they answered him. From a very far country thy servants are come in the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond Jordan, Sehon king of Hesbon and Og king of Basan which dwelt at Astharoth. Wherefore our elders and all the *Enhabiters of our country spake to us saying: take victuals with you to serve by the way, and go against them, and say unto them we are your servants. Now therefore make a covenant of peace with us. This our provision of bread, we took with us out of our houses, hot, the day we departed to come unto you. And now behold it is dried up and hoared. And these bottles of wine which we filled were new: and see, they be rent. And these our garments and shoes are waxen old by reason of the exceeding long *Journey.
      And the men took of their victuals, and counselled not with the mouth of the Lord. And Josua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to save their lives: and the lords of the congregation sware unto them. But three days after they had made peace with them, they heard that they were neighbors unto them, and that they dwelt among them. For the children of Israel took their Journey and came unto their cities the third day: and their cities were Gabaon, Caphira, Beeroth and kariath Jarim. And the children of Israel slew them not, because the lords of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And therefore all the multitude murmured against the Lords. But all the lords said unto all the congregation: we have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel, and therefore we may not hurt them. But this we will do to them and let them live: and so shall no wrath be upon us because of the oath which we sware unto them. And the Lords said unto them, that they should live: and they were made hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the Lords said unto them. Then Josua sent for them, and talked with them, and said: wherefore have ye beguiled us and yet ye dwell among us? and now therefore cursed be you, and there shall not cease to be of you, bondmen and hewers of wood and drawers of water unto the house of my God.
      And they answered Josua and said: it was told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the Enhabiters thereof out of your sight, and therefore we were exceeding sore afraid of our lives because of you, and now behold, we are in thine hand, as it seemeth good and right in thine eyes to do unto us, so do.
      And he dealt as it is said, with them, and rid them out of the hands of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. And Josua made them that same day hewers of wood and drawers of water unto the congregation and unto the altar of God unto this day, in the place which God should choose.

 

*Enhabiters: exact spelling, with the capital E, *Journey: exact spelling, with the capital J.

 

 

 

The 10th Chapter

      And when Adonizedec King of Jerusalem had heard how Josua had taken Ai, and had destroyed it, and how that as he had done to Jericho and her king, even so he had done to Ai and her king, and how the *Enhabiters of Gabaon had made peace with Israel and did remain among them: then they feared exceedingly, for Gabaon was a great city, as any city of the kingdom, and thereto greater than Ai, and all her men were mighty. Wherefore Adonizedec king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Pharam king of Jerimoth, and unto Japhia king of Lachis, and unto Dabir king of Eglon saying. Come up unto me and help me, that we may smite Gabaon: for they have made peace with Josua and the children of Israel. Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jerimoth, the king of Lachis, the king of Eglon gathered themselves together, both they and all their hosts and went up and besieged Gabaon, and made war against it.      
      But the men of Gabaon sent unto Josua unto the host to Galgall, saying: withdraw not thy hands from thy servants, but come up to us: for all the kings of the Amorites which dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.
      And Josua ascended from Galgall, both he and all the people of war with him, and all the men of might, and the Lord said unto Josua, fear them not, for I have delivered them unto thine hand, there shall not a man of them stand before thee. And Josua came unto them suddenly, and journeyed from Galgall all night. And the Lord turmoiled them before Israel and slew of them a great slaughter at Gabaon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethoron and slew them till they came to Esaka and Makeda. And as they fled from Israel, even in the going down to Bethoron, the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them, until they came unto Esaka, that they died. And there were more that died with hailstones, than the children of Israel slew with the sword.
      Then spake Josua unto the Lord, the day when the Lord delivered the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of all Israel: *Son stand thou still upon Gabaon, and thou Moon, in the valley of Aialon. And the sun abode, and the moon stood still, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of the righteous, how that the *son abode in the midst of heaven and hasted not to go down by the space of a whole day. And there was no day like that, before it, or after it, that the Lord obeyed the voice of a man: and all because the Lord fought for Israel.
       And Josua returned and all Israel with him, unto the host to Galgall: but the five Kings fled and hid themselves in a cave at Makeda. And it was told Josua, saying: the five kings are found hid in a cave at Makeda. And Josua said, roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave and appoint men thereto, for to keep them. And stand ye not still, but follow after your enemies and smite the hindmost of them. And suffer them not to enter into their cities, for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hands. And when Josua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a great slaughter till they were wasted, yet there remained a certain of them, which entered into walled cities.
      And all the people returned to the host, to Josua at Makeda in peace, so that no man durst move his tongue against the children of Israel. Then said Josua: open the mouth of the cave, and bring out these five Kings unto me out of the cave. And they did so, and brought those five Kings unto him, out of the cave: the King of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the King of Jerimoth the King of Lachis, and the King of Eglon.
      And when they had brought out those Kings unto Josua: Josua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war, which came with him, come near and a put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Josua said unto them fear not nor dread: But be strong and pluck up your hearts, for so shall the Lord serve all your enemies against which ye fight.
      And then Josua smote them and slew them and hanged them on five trees till evening. And at the going down of the son, Josua gave commandment, and they took them down off the trees and cast them into the cave, where they hid themselves, and laid great stones on the caves mouth, which remain unto this day. And that same day Josua took Makeda, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof also, and utterly destroyed them and all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain. And he did to the King of Makeda, as he did to the king of Jericho. Then Josua went from Makeda, and all Israel with him unto Libna, and fought against Libna. And the Lord delivered it also into their hands, with the King also and smote it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain in it, and did unto the King thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.
      After that Josua departed from Libna, and all Israel with him, unto Lachis, and besieged it, and assaulted it. And the Lord delivered into the hands of Israel Lachis, that they took it the *Second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he did to Libna.
      Then Horam King of Geser came up to help Lachis: But Josua smote him and his people, until he left him nought remaining.
      And from Lachis Josua departed, unto Eglon, and all Israel with him, and there besieged it, and assaulted it, and took it the same day, and smote it with the edge of the sword and all the souls that were therein: and utterly destroyed them the same day, according to all that he did to Lachis.
      Then Josua departed up from Eglon and all Israel with him, unto Hebron. And they fought against it, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the towns that pertained to it, and all the souls that were therein, so that they left nought remaining: but in all things as they did to Eglon, so they destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
      Then Josua returned and all Israel with him to Dabir, and they fought against it, and took it, and the king thereof and all the towns that pertained thereto. And smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein, and let nought remain. And as he did to Hebron, so he did to Dabir, and the King thereof, and as he did to Libna and her King.
      And Josua smote all the hill countries and the south countries, and the valleys, and the springs of water, with all their kings and let nought remain, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel commanded. And Josua smote them from Cades barne, unto Asah, and all the coasts of Gosan, even unto Gabaon. And all those kings and their land, Josua took at one time: because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel. And then Josua returned and all Israel with him unto the host to Galgall.

 

*Enhabiters: exact spelling, with the capital E. *son exact spelling sonne, elsewhere in the text sun is spelled sunne. *S cap S as it was written.

 

 

 

The 11th Chapter

      And when Jabin King of Hazer had heard that: he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Someron, and to the King of Acsaph. And unto the Kings that are by north in the mountains, and plains, on the south side of Ceneroth, and in the low countries, and in the regions of Dor upon the sea, and unto the Cananites both by East and west: and unto the Amorites, Hethites, Pheresites, and Jebusites in the mountains: and unto the Hevites under Hermon in the land of Mazphah: which came out and all their hosts with them a multitude of folk even as the sands of the sea in number with horses and chariots exceeding many. And all these Kings met together, and came and pitched together upon the water of Merom, for to fight with Israel.
      And the Lord said unto Josua: be not afraid of them: for tomorrow about this time I will deliver them all slain, before all Israel: and thou shalt *hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. And Josua came and all the men of war with him against them, unto the water of Merom, suddenly, and fell upon them. And the Lord delivered them into the hands of Israel: and they smote them and chased them, into great Sidon, and unto the hot waters, and unto the valley of Mazphah Eastward: and smote them until they had none remaining of them. And Josua served them as the Lord bade him, *houghed their horses and burnt their chariots with fire.
       Then Josua at that time turned back and took Hazer and smote her King with the sword. For Hazer before time was the head of all those kingdoms. And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them, that no breath was let remain. And burnt Hazer with fire and all the cities of those Kings, with all the kings of them, Josua took and smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.
      But Israel burnt none of the cities that stood upon hills, save Hazer only, that Josua burnt: but all the spoil of the said cities and the cattle, the children of Israel caught unto themselves: But the men only they smote with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and had left no breath remaining. As the Lord commanded Josua, and even so did Josua and minished no word of all that the Lord commanded Moses.
      And so Josua took all the land, the hills and all the south country, and all the land of Gosan, and the low country, and the plains, and the mountain of Israel, with the low country of the same, even from mount Halak that goeth up to Seir, unto Baal Gad in the valley of Libanon, under mount Hermon. And all the kings of the same, he took and smote them, and slew them.
       Josua made war long time with those kings: for there was no city that made peace with the children of Israel, save those Hethites that inhabited Gabaon: All other they took with battle: for it came of the Lord to harden their hearts: that they should come against Israel in battle: even to destroy them utterly, that they should have no mercy, but to bring them to naught. As the Lord commanded Moses.
      And that same season, Josua went and destroyed the Enakites out of the mountains, and out of Hebron, Dabir, and Anab, and out of all the mountains of Juda, and out of all the mountains of Israel. And Josua destroyed them utterly with their cities. So that there was not one Enakite left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Asah, Geth, and Asdod, there remained of them.
      And Josua took the whole land according to all that the Lord said unto Moses, and gave it a possession unto Israel every man his part in their tribes: and the land rested from war.

 

*houghed: cut to disable the tendons hamstring.

 

 

 

The 12th Chapter

      These are the kings of the land which the children of Israel smote and conquered their lands, on the other side Jordan eastward, from the river Arnon, unto mount Hermon, and all the plain eastward: Sehon King of the Amorites that dwelt in Hesbon, and ruled from Aroer, which lieth on the brim of the river of Arnon, and to the middle of the river, and half Galaad unto the river Jabock, the border of the children of Ammon: And in the plain unto the sea of Ceneroth eastward, and unto the sea in the plain called the salt sea *Eastward, the way to Beth, Jesimoth and by south under the springs of phasgah.
      And the coasts of Og, king of Basan which was of the remnant of the Raphaites and dwelt at Astharoth, and Edrai: and reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and throughout all Basan, unto the borders, of the Gesurites, and the Macathites and half Galaad, unto the borders of Sehon King of Hesbon. Moses the servant of the Lord and the children of Israel smote them, and Moses the servant of the Lord, gave their lands a possession, unto the Rubenites, Gaddites, and half the tribe of Manasses.
      These are the Kings of the country which Josua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan, westward, from Baal Gad in the valley of Libanon, even unto mount Halak that goeth up to Seir. And Josua gave the land unto the tribes of Israel to possess, to every man his part: in the upper land, and nether land, in plains, and springs of water, in the wilderness, and south country the Hethites, the Amorites, the Cananites, the Pheresites, the Hevites and the Jebusites.
      The King of Jericho: The King of Ai beside Bethel: The King of Jerusalem: The King of Hebron: The King of Jerimoth: the King of Lachis: The King of Eglon: The King of Gazer: The King of Dabir: The King of Gader: The King of Horma: The King of Ered: The King of Libna: The King of Odolam: The King of Makeda: The King of Bethel: The King of Thaphuah: The King of Hepher: The King of Aphek: The King of Lasaron: The King of Madan: The King of Haser: The King Someronmeron: The King of Acsaph: The King Thenach: The King of Magedo: The King of Cades: The King of Jakanam in Carmel: The King of the country of Dor: The King of the nations in Galgall: and King Therzah: All the Kings together thirty and one.

 

* cap E; as written

 

Chapters 1-7 | 8-12 | 13-20 | 21-end | Next Book


 

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