Joshua 7:5-13

5The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them 1from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the 2hearts of the people melted and became as water.

6Then Joshua 3tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and 4they put dust on their heads. 7Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord 5God, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing 6to dwell beyond the Jordan! 8O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their 7back before their enemies? 98For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and they will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will You do for Your great name?”

10So the Lord said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? 11Israel has sinned, and 9they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. 12Therefore the 10sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their 11backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. 13Rise up! 12Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, “13There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.”