3
When the people of Gibeon heard how Joshua had defeated Jericho and Ai,
4
they decided to trick the Israelites. They gathered old sacks and old leather wine bags that were cracked and mended, and they put them on the backs of their donkeys.
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They put old sandals on their feet and wore old clothes, and they took some dry, moldy bread.
6
Then they went to Joshua in the camp near Gilgal. The men said to Joshua and the Israelites, "We have traveled from a faraway country. Make a peace agreement with us."
7
The Israelites said to these Hivites, "Maybe you live near us. How can we make a peace agreement with you?"
8
The Hivites said to Joshua, "We are your servants." But Joshua asked, "Who are you? Where do you come from?"
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The men answered, "We are your servants who have come from a far country, because we heard of the fame of the Lord your God. We heard about what he has done and everything he did in Egypt.
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We heard that he defeated the two kings of the Amorites from the east side of the Jordan River -- Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan who ruled in Ashtaroth.
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So our older leaders and our people said to us, 'Take food for your journey and go and meet the Israelites. Tell them, "We are your servants. Make a peace agreement with us."'
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"Look at our bread. On the day we left home to come to you it was warm and fresh, but now it is dry and moldy.
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Look at our leather wine bags. They were new and filled with wine, but now they are cracked and old. Our clothes and sandals are worn out from the long journey."