^2-4 On the third day officers went through the camp giving these instructions: “When you see the priests carrying the Ark of God,^[a] follow them. You have never before been where we are going now, so they will guide you. However, stay about a half mile behind, with a clear space between you and the Ark; be sure that you don’t get any closer.”

⁵ Then Joshua told the people to purify themselves. “For tomorrow,” he said, “the Lord will do a great miracle.”

⁶ In the morning Joshua ordered the priests, “Take up the Ark and lead us across the river!” And so they started out.