Joshua attacked them by surprise after marching all night from Gilgal.<n id="1" />

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed for battle ahead of the Israelites, just as Moses had instructed them.

The leaders then added,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Let them live.&#8221; So they became<n id="2" /> woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had decided.<n id="3" />p>

<n id="1" /><p class="bodytext">Joshua summoned the Gibeonites<n id="2" /> and said to them, &#8220;Why did you trick<n id="3" /> us by saying, &#8216;We live far away from you,&#8217; when you really live nearby?<n id="4" />

in Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said, &#8220;The <sc>Lordsc> told Moses to assign us cities in which to live along with the grazing areas for our cattle.&#8221;

and told them: &#8220;You have carried out all the instructions of Moses the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s servant, and you have obeyed all I have told you.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">Joshua sent men from Jericho<n id="1" /> to Ai (which is located near Beth Aven, east of Bethel<n id="2" />) and instructed them, &#8220;Go up and spy on the land.&#8221; So the men went up and spied on Ai.

Our leaders and all who live in our land told us, &#8216;Take provisions for your journey and go meet them. Tell them, &#8220;We are willing to be your subjects.<n id="1" /> Make a treaty with us.&#8221;&#8217;

Then Joshua said to them, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid and don&#8217;t panic!<n id="1" /> Be strong and brave, for the <sc>Lordsc> will do the same thing to all your enemies you fight.

Joshua replied to them, &#8220;Since you have so many people,<n id="1" /> go up into the forest and clear out a place to live in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites, for the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you.&#8221;

The one who committed manslaughter<n id="1" /> should escape to one of these cities, stand at the entrance of the city gate, and present his case to the leaders of that city.<n id="2" /> They should then bring him into the city, give him a place to stay, and let him live there.<n id="3" />

saying, &#8220;Take home<n id="1" /> great wealth, a lot of cattle,<n id="2" /> silver, gold, bronze, iron, and a lot of<n id="3" /> clothing. Divide up the goods captured from your enemies with your brothers.&#8221;