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However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
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they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
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They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy.
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Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.”
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The Israelites said to the Hivites, “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?”
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“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”
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They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt,
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and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.
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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.” ’
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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.
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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.”
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The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.
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Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.