Today's Reading

¹It happened, when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country, and in the lowland, and on all the shore of the great sea in front of Lebanon, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard of it

²that they gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

³But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,

⁴they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn and bound up,

⁵and old and patched shoes on their feet, and wore old garments. All the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.

⁶They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him, and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country. Now therefore make a covenant with us."

⁷The men of Israel said to the Hivites, "What if you live among us. How could we make a covenant with you?"

⁸They said to Joshua, "We are your servants." Joshua said to them, "Who are you? Where do you come from?"

⁹They said to him, "Your servants have come from a very far country because of the name of the Lord your God; for we have heard of his fame, all that he did in Egypt,

¹⁰and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

¹¹Our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, 'Take provision in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them, and tell them, "We are your servants. Now make a covenant with us."'

¹²This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become moldy.

¹³These wineskins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our shoes have become old because of the very long journey."

¹⁴The men sampled their provisions, and did not ask counsel from the mouth of the Lord.

¹⁵Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶It happened at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.

¹⁷The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸The children of Israel did not strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹But all the princes said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰This we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them."

²¹The princes said to them, "Let them live, so they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them."

²²Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, "Why have you deceived us, saying, 'We are very far from you,' when you live among us?

²³Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be bondservants, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God."

²⁴They answered Joshua, and said, "Because your servants were certainly told how the Lord your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do."

²⁶He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them.

²⁷That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹Now it happened when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

²that they were very afraid, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty.

³Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,

⁴"Come up to me, and help me, and let us strike Gibeon; for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel."

⁵Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their armies, and encamped against Gibeon, and made war against it.

⁶The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, "Do not abandon your servants! Come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us; for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill country have gathered together against us."

⁷So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.

⁸The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. Not a man of them will stand before you."

⁹Joshua therefore came on them suddenly. He went up from Gilgal all night.

¹⁰The Lord confused them before Israel, and he killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and to Makkedah.

¹¹It happened, as they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from the sky on them to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than who the children of Israel killed with the sword.

¹²Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!"

¹³The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn't this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the midst of the sky, and did not hurry to go down about a whole day.

¹⁴There was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

¹⁵Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp to Gilgal.

¹⁶These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

¹⁷Joshua was told, saying, "The five kings are found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah."

¹⁸Joshua said, "Roll large stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them;

¹⁹but do not stay. Pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Do not allow them to enter into their cities; for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand."

²⁰It happened, when Joshua and the children of Israel had finished killing them with a very great slaughter until they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

²¹that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

²²Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me."

²³They did so, and brought those five kings out of the cave to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

²⁴It happened, when they brought those kings out to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who went with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." They came near, and put their feet on their necks.

²⁵Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed. Be strong and of good courage, for the Lord will do this to all your enemies against whom you fight."

²⁶Afterward Joshua struck them, put them to death, and hanged them on five trees. They were hanging on the trees until the evening.

²⁷It happened at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave in which they had hidden themselves, and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.

²⁸Joshua took Makkedah on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with its king. He utterly destroyed them and all the souls who were in it. He left none remaining. He did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.

²⁹Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, to Libnah, and fought against Libnah.

³⁰The Lord delivered it also, with its king, into the hand of Israel. He struck it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls who were in it. He left none remaining in it. He did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho.

³¹Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it.

³²The Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel. He took it on the second day, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with all the souls who were in it, according to all that he had done to Libnah.

³³Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.

³⁴Joshua passed from Lachish, and all Israel with him, to Eglon; and they encamped against it fought against it.

³⁵They took it on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed all the souls who were in it that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

³⁶Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, to Hebron; and they fought against it.

³⁷They took it, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with its king and all its cities, and all the souls who were in it. He left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but he utterly destroyed it, and all the souls who were in it.

³⁸Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it.

³⁹He took it, with its king and all its cities. They struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls who were in it. He left none remaining. As he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to its king; as he had done also to Libnah, and to its king.

⁴⁰So Joshua struck all the land, the hill country, and the Negev, and the lowland, and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but he utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded.

⁴¹Joshua struck them from Kadesh Barnea even to Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even to Gibeon.

⁴²Joshua took all these kings and their land at one time, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.

⁴³Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp to Gilgal.

¹It happened, when Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph,

²and to the kings who were on the north, in the hill country, in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west,

³to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the hill country, and the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpah.

⁴They went out, they and all their armies with them, many people, even as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots.

⁵All these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.

⁶The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid because of them; for tomorrow at this time, I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire."

⁷So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly, and fell on them.

⁸The Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, and they struck them, and chased them to great Sidon, and to Misrephoth Maim, and to the valley of Mizpeh eastward. They struck them until they left them none remaining.

⁹Joshua did to them as the Lord told him. He hamstrung their horses and burnt their chariots with fire.

¹⁰Joshua turned back at that time, and took Hazor, and struck its king with the sword: for Hazor used to be the head of all those kingdoms.

¹¹They struck all the souls who were in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them. There was no one left who breathed. He burnt Hazor with fire.

¹²Joshua captured all the cities of those kings, with their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.

¹³But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only. Joshua burned that.

¹⁴The children of Israel took all the spoil of these cities, with the livestock, as spoils for themselves; but every man they struck with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them. They did not leave any who breathed.

¹⁵As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua. Joshua did so. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

¹⁶So Joshua captured all that land, the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah, the hill country of Israel, and the lowland of the same;

¹⁷from Mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even to Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon. He took all their kings, struck them, and put them to death.

¹⁸Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

¹⁹There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took all in battle.

²⁰For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.

²¹Joshua came at that time, and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel: Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities.

²²There were none of the Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, did some remain.

²³So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord spoke to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. The land had rest from war.

¹Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.

²The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.

³Satan entered into Judas, who was called Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve.

⁴He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.

⁵They were glad, and agreed to give him money.

⁶He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.

⁷The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.

⁸He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."

⁹They said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare?"

¹⁰He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.

¹¹Tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'

¹²He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there."

¹³They went, found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

¹⁴When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve.

¹⁵He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,

¹⁶for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."

¹⁷He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves,

¹⁸for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes."

¹⁹He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."

²⁰Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

²¹But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

²²The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!"

²³They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.

²⁴There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.

²⁵He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.'

²⁶But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.

²⁷For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Is not it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves.

²⁸But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.

²⁹I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,

³⁰that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

³¹"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat,

³²but I prayed for you, that your faith would not fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers."

³³He said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!"

³⁴He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times."

³⁵He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."

³⁶Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse must take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, must sell his cloak, and buy a sword.

³⁷For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: 'He was counted with the lawless.' For that which concerns me has an end."

³⁸They said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords." He said to them, "That is enough."

³⁹He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.

⁴⁰When he was at the place, he said to them, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation."

⁴¹He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed,

⁴²saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.

⁴⁴Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

⁴⁵When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,

⁴⁶and said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.

⁴⁸But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"

⁴⁹When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"

⁵⁰A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹But Jesus answered, "Let me at least do this"-and he touched his ear, and healed him.

⁵²Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?

⁵³When I was with you in the temple daily, you did not stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

⁵⁴They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed from a distance.

⁵⁵When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.

⁵⁶A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with him."

⁵⁷He denied Jesus, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."

⁵⁸After a little while someone else saw him, and said, "You also are one of them!" But Peter answered, "Man, I am not!"

⁵⁹After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!"

⁶⁰But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

⁶¹The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord's word, how he said to him, "Before the rooster crows today you will deny me three times."

⁶²And he went out, and wept bitterly.

⁶³The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him.

⁶⁴Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?"

⁶⁵They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.

⁶⁶As soon as it was day, the council of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,

⁶⁷"If you are the Messiah, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you won't believe,

⁶⁸and if I ask, you will in no way answer me.

⁶⁹From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."

⁷⁰They all said, "Are you then the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say it, because I am."

⁷¹They said, "Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!"

¹ Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

²Sing to the glory of his name! Offer glory and praise!

³Tell God, "How awesome are your deeds! Through the greatness of your power, your enemies submit themselves to you.

⁴All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name." Selah.

⁵Come, and see God's deeds- awesome work on behalf of the children of men.

⁶He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river on foot. There, we rejoiced in him.

⁷He rules by his might forever. His eyes watch the nations. Do not let the rebellious rise up against him. Selah.

⁸Praise our God, you peoples! Make the sound of his praise heard,

⁹who preserves our life among the living, and doesn't allow our feet to be moved.

¹⁰For you, God, have tested us. You have refined us, as silver is refined.

¹¹You brought us into prison. You laid a burden on our backs.

¹²You allowed men to ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water, but you brought us to the place of abundance.

¹³I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will pay my vows to you,

¹⁴which my lips promised, and my mouth spoke, when I was in distress.

¹⁵I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals, with the offering of rams, I will offer bulls with goats. Selah.

¹⁶Come, and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul.

¹⁷I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue.

¹⁸If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn't have listened.

¹⁹But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer.

²⁰Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.

¹Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;

²for I give you sound learning. Do not forsake my law.

³For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

⁴He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.

⁵Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

⁶Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

⁷Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

⁸Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

⁹She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."

¹⁰Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.

¹¹I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.

¹²When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.

¹³Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

¹⁴Do not enter into the path of the wicked. Do not walk in the way of evil men.

¹⁵Avoid it, and do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.

¹⁶For they do not sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.

¹⁹The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what they stumble over.

²⁰My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.

²¹Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.

²²For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.

²³Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

²⁴Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.

²⁵Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.

²⁶Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.

²⁷Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.