1 Joshua, Nun’s son,was powerful in battle,and he was Moses’ successorin prophecy.As his name suggests,he was mightyto deliver the Lord’s chosen ones,and to take revenge on enemieswhen they rose against them,so that he might give Israelan inheritance.
2 How glorious he waswhen he raised his handsand when he extended his swordagainst cities!
3 Who among those who came beforestood as he did?Indeed, he fought the Lord’s wars.
4 Wasn’t the sun restrained by his hand,and one day lasted for two?
5 He called upon the Most High,the mighty one,when his enemies pressed in on himfrom every side,and the great Lord responded to himwith hailstones of mighty power.
6 He rushed headlong against a nationin battle,and on a hill he destroyed thosewho opposed him,so that the nations might knowhow well-equipped he was,because his war was foughtin the Lord’s presence.Indeed, he was a followerof the mighty one.
7 In the days of Moseshe performed acts of mercy,he and Caleb, Jephunneh’s son.They opposed the congregation,restrained the people from sin,and put an endto their wicked grumbling.
8 So out of six hundred thousand soldiers,the two were spared to lead the people into their inheritance,into a land full of milk and honey.
9 The Lord gave Caleb strength,and it remained with himuntil he was old,so that he went up to the highlands,and his descendants had itas an inheritance.
10 In this way, all the Israelitescould see that it is a good thingto follow the Lord.
11 May the memories of the judgesbring blessings,each with their own name,whose hearts remained faithfuland who didn’t turn away from the Lord.
12 May their bones send forth new shoots of life from their burial places,and their names,honored by all humanity,continue in their descendants.
13 Samuel was dearly loved by his Lord.As a prophet from the Lord,he established a kingdomand anointed rulers over his people.
14 He judged the congregationby the Lord’s law,and the Lord watched over Jacob.
15 He proved to be a reliable prophetbecause of his faithfulness,and through his wordshe became known as a trustworthy seer.
16 He called upon the Lord, the mighty one,with an offering of a nursing lambwhen his enemies pressed on himfrom every side.
17 The Lord thundered from heaven,and he made his voice loudly heard.
18 He destroyed the leadersof the people of Tyreand all the rulers of the Philistines.
19 Before the time of his eternal sleep,Samuel testifiedbefore the Lord and his anointed one,"No property, not even a pair of sandals,have I taken from anyone!And not one person accused him.
20 Samuel prophesiedafter he had fallen asleep,and he showed the kingwhat his end would be.He made his voice heard from the groundin prophecy to wipe outthe people’s lawless behavior.