Joshua 9:3-13

New International Version

³ However, when the people of Gibeon^(A) heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,^{(B) 4} they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded^[a] with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. ⁵ They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. ⁶ Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal^(C) and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country;^(D) make a treaty^(E) with us.”

⁷ The Israelites said to the Hivites,^(F) “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty^(G) with you?”

⁸ “We are your servants,^(H)” they said to Joshua.

But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”

⁹ They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country^(I) because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports^(J) of him: all that he did in Egypt,^{(K) 10} and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon,^(L) and Og king of Bashan,^(M) who reigned in Ashtaroth.^{(N) 11} And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, “We are your servants; make a treaty with us.”’ ¹² This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. ¹³ And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.”