⁴ So about three thousand men^[a] went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.^{(A) 5} The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them and chased them from outside the city gate to the quarries,^[b] striking them down on the descent. As a result, the people lost heart.^[c](B)

¹⁰ The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen facedown? 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 those things with their own belongings.^{(A) 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.^(B) I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you what is set apart.

¹³ “Go and consecrate the people. Tell them to consecrate themselves for tomorrow,^(C) 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.