13. When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him. The man had a sword in his hand. Joshua went to the man and asked, “Are you a friend to our people or are you one of our enemies?”
14. The man answered, “I am not an enemy. I am the commander of the Lord’S army. I have just now come to you.” Then Joshua bowed his face to the ground to show respect and said, “I am your servant. Does my master have a command for me?”
15. The commander of the Lord’S army answered, “Take off your sandals. The place where you are standing is holy.” So Joshua obeyed him.