Joshua 7:5-13

5And the men of Ai struck and killed about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them 1from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them on the mountainside; and the 2hearts of the people melted and became like water.

6Then Joshua 3tore his clothes and fell to the ground 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. 7And Joshua said, “Oh, Lord 5God! Why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan, only to hand us over to the Amorites, to eliminate us? If only we had been willing 6to live 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 about it, and they will surround us and eliminate our name from the earth. And what will You do for Your great name?”

10So the Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? 11Israel has sinned, and 9they have also violated My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things designated for destruction, and have both stolen and kept it a secret. Furthermore, they have also put them among their own things. 12Therefore the 10sons of Israel cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their 11backs before their enemies, because they have become designated for destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you eliminate from your midst the things designated for destruction. 13Stand up! 12Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, because the Lord, the God of Israel, has said this: “13There are things designated for destruction in your midst, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you have removed the designated things from your midst.”