Joshua and the judges
1 Joshua, son of Nun, was a valiant warrior and as a prophet he was the
successor of Moses. He lived up to his name, proving himself to be a savior
of God¡¯s chosen people, punishing the enemies that attacked them and leading
Israel to claim their land.
2 How magnificent to see him, arm raised and with sword ready to attack the
cities!
3 Who before him had such staying power? He was, indeed, Yah weh¡¯s warrior.
4 Was it not he who held back the sun, making one day as long as two?
5 He called on the Most High when the enemy pressed on every side, and the
Mighty Lord responded with hailstones of exceptional size.
6 He attacked the enemy nation and destroyed the assailants at the pass of
Beth-horan, so that the nations might know the strength of Joshua and that
they were fighting against the Lord.
7 Joshua was loyal and devoted to the Almighty in the time of Moses, he and
Caleb, son of Jephunneh. They stood firm against the assembly and tried to
keep them from sinning by silencing their wicked murmuring.
8 Because of this, they were the only two spared out of six hundred thousand
people on foot. And they took possession of their inheritance in a land
flowing with milk and honey.
9 The Lord gifted Caleb with strength; this he enjoyed to the end of his
days, and he went into the hill country that was given to his children in
heritage.
10 With this it was clear to all Israel that it is good to follow the Lord.
11 After that came the judges. Although each of them won his own renown, all
were men of faithful heart who did not turn away from the Lord. Blessed be
their memory!
12 May their bones spring to life from the tomb and the names of these
illustrious men live on in their children!
Samuel
13 Samuel was a prophet and beloved of the Lord. He established the king dom
and anointed rulers to govern his people.
14 He judged the assembly according to the Law of the Lord and the Lord
protected Jacob.
15 He was accepted as pro phet because of his faithfulness, and proved that
his words were of a trustworthy seer.
16 He called on the Almighty Lord when the enemy pressed from all directions
and he offered a sucking lamb.
17 Then with a mighty roar the Lord thun dered from heaven
18 and destroyed all the enemy¡¯s leaders and the tyrants of Philistia.
19 Before his time came for eternal rest, Samuel called men to witness
before the Lord and his anointed: ¡°I have not taken anyone¡¯s belongings, not
even his sandals,¡± and there was no one to accuse him.
20 Even after he died, he prophesied and re vealed to the king his death.
From the grave he spoke as a prophet to blot out the wickedness of his
people.