1 The Israelites, however, were unfaithful regarding the things set apart for destruction. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart, and the Lord’s anger burned against the Israelites.
2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and scout the land.” So the men went up and scouted Ai.
3 After returning to Joshua they reported to him, “Don’t send all the people, but send about 2,000 or 3,000 men to attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, don’t wear out all our people there.”
4 So about 3,000 men went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.
5 The men of Ai struck down about 36 of them and chased them from outside the gate to the quarries, striking them down on the descent. As a result, the people’s hearts melted and became like water.
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the ark of the Lord with his face to the ground until evening, as did the elders of Israel; they all put dust on their heads.
7 “Oh, Lord God,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan!
8 What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?
9 When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do about Your great name?”
10 The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why are you on the ground?
11 Israel has sinned. They have violated My covenant that I appointed for them. They have taken some of what was set apart. They have stolen, deceived, and put the things with their own belongings.
12 This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from you what is set apart.
13 “Go and consecrate the people. Tell them to consecrate themselves for tomorrow, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are things that are set apart among you, Israel. You will not be able to stand against your enemies until you remove what is set apart.
14 In the morning you must present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe the Lord selects is to come forward clan by clan. The clan the Lord selects is to come forward family by family. The family the Lord selects is to come forward man by man.
15 The one who is caught with the things set apart must be burned, along with everything he has, because he has violated the Lord’s covenant and committed an outrage in Israel.”
Joshua 7:1-15(HCSB)
103 How sweet Your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth.
Psalm 119:103(HCSB)
11 A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11(HCSB)
1 Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth — a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and sand, a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4 Fury is cruel, and anger a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Better an open reprimand than concealed love.
6 The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
7 A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb, but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 A man wandering from his home is like a bird wandering from its nest.
9 Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.
10 Don’t abandon your friend or your father’s friend, and don’t go to your brother’s house in your time of calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy, so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.
12 A sensible person sees danger and takes cover; the inexperienced keep going and are punished.
13 Take his garment, for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.
14 If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him.
15 An endless dripping on a rainy day and a nagging wife are alike.
16 The one who controls her controls the wind and grasps oil with his right hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever looks after his master will be honored.
19 As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and people’s eyes are never satisfied.
21 A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and a man for the words of his praise.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, you will not separate his foolishness from him.
23 Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds,
24 for wealth is not forever; not even a crown lasts for all time.
25 When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered in,
26 lambs will provide your clothing, and goats, the price of a field;
27 there will be enough goat’s milk for your food — food for your household and nourishment for your female servants.
Proverbs 27:1-27(HCSB)
17 When Jesus heard this, He told them, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:17(HCSB)