1. Bright and early the next morning Joshua and the Israelites left Shittim and came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing the river.
2. After three days the leaders went through the camp
3. and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you must leave here and walk behind it.
4. But stay about three thousand feet behind it. Keep your distance so you can see which way you should go, for you have not traveled this way before.”
5. Joshua told the people, “Ritually consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform miraculous deeds among you.”