Joshua obeyed the Lord’s command: he crippled their horses and burned their chariots.

Some languages may require that a portion of this verse be given in direct discourse: “ ‘After you defeat your enemies, cripple their horses and burn their war chariots.’ So Joshua did as the LORD had commanded.” It may be preferable to describe Joshua’s actions in the same terms as the command: “… so Joshua did as the LORD had commanded. He crippled their horses and burned their chariots.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .