Catholic Public Domain Version
"Therefore, they went up with three thousand fighters. And they promptly turned their backs, "
— Joshua 7:4, Catholic Public Domain Version
“So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.”
“So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. ”
“So about three thousand men of the people went up there, and they fled before the men of Ai.”
“So about three thousand men went up, but they fled from the men of Ai.”
“There went up therefore three thousand fighting men: who immediately turned their backs,”
“So about three thousand of the people went up, and were sent in flight by the men of Ai.”
“So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.”
But the sons of Israel transgressed the commandment, and they usurped what was anathema. For Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took something from what was anathema. And the Lord became angry against the sons of Israel.
And when Joshua sent men from Jericho against Ai, which is beside Bethaven, toward the eastern region of the town of Bethel, he said to them, “Go up and explore the land.” And they fulfilled his instruction, and they explored Ai.
And returning, they said to him: “Let not the entire people go up. Instead, let two or three thousand men go out and destroy the city. Why should all the people be troubled without cause against enemies that are so very few?”
Therefore, they went up with three thousand fighters. And they promptly turned their backs,
and were struck down by the men of the city of Ai. And thirty-six men of them fell. And the adversaries pursued them from the gate, even as far as Shebarim. And they felled them as they were fleeing downward. And the heart of the people was struck with fear, and it melted like water.
And truly, Joshua tore his garments, and he fell prone on the ground before the ark of the Lord, even until evening, both he and all the elders of Israel. And they cast dust upon their heads.
And Joshua said: “Alas, O Lord God! Why would you want to lead this people over the river Jordan, so that you might deliver us into the hand of the Amorite and destroy us? I wish that we had remained beyond the Jordan, as when we began.