4. However, stay about half a mile behind them. Don’t come any closer to them so that you will know which way to go because you have not gone this way before.”
5. Joshua told the people, “Perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy because tomorrow the Lord will do miracles among you.”
6. Joshua also told the priests, “Take the ark of the promise, and go ahead of the people.” They did as they were told.
7. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to honor you in front of all the people of Israel. I will do this to let them know that I am with you just as I was with Moses.
8. Order the priests who carry the ark of the promise, ‘When you step into the water of the Jordan River, stand there.’ ”
9. So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here, and listen to the words of the Lord your God.”