1
But the children of Israelcommitted a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah,took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
2
And Joshuasentmen from Jericho to Ai, which is besideBethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewedAi.
3
And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or threethousandmen go up and smiteAi; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.
5
And the men of Aismote of them about thirty and sixmen: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the peoplemelted, and became as water.
6
And Joshuarent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his facebefore the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and putdust upon their heads.
7
And Joshuasaid, Alas, OLordGOD, wherefore hast thou at allbrought this peopleoverJordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other sideJordan!
9
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy greatname?
11
Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
12
Therefore the children of Israelcould not standbefore their enemies, but turned their backsbefore their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.