August 18, 2003, Friday of the 19th week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of Joshua.

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shikkim,

summoning their elders, their judges, and their officers.

When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people.

Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel.

In times past, your fathers down to Tyra, Father of Abraham and Neaur, dwelt beyond the river and served

other gods. But I brought your father Abraham from the region beyond the river and led him through the

entire land of Canaan. I made his descendants numerous and gave him Isaac. To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau.

To Esau I assigned the mountain region of Seer in which to settle while Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.

Then I sent Moses and Aaron and smote Egypt with the prodigies

which I wrought in her mist. Afterward, I led you out of Egypt, and when you reached the sea,

the Egyptians pursued your fathers to the Red Sea with chariots and horsemen.

Because they cried out to the Lord, he put darkness between your people and the Egyptians,

upon whom he brought the sea so that it engulfed them.

After you witnessed what I did to Egypt and dwelt a long time in the desert,

I brought you into the land of the Amarites, who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you,

but I delivered them into your power. You took possession of their land, and I destroyed them the two kings of the Amorites before

you.

Then Balak, son of Zipar, king of Moab, prepared to war against Israel.

He summoned Balam, son of Biar, to curse you, but I would not listen to

Balim. On the contrary, he had to bless you, and I saved you from him. Once you crossed the Jordan

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