Joshua 2:8-20

New International Version

⁸ Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof^{(A) 9} and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear^(B) of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. ¹⁰ We have heard how the Lord dried up^(C) the water of the Red Sea^[a] for you when you came out of Egypt,^(D) and what you did to Sihon and Og,^(E) the two kings of the Amorites^(F) east of the Jordan,^(G) whom you completely destroyed.^{[b](H) 11} When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear^(I) and everyone’s courage failed^(J) because of you,^(K) for the Lord your God^(L) is God in heaven above and on the earth^(M) below.

¹² “Now then, please swear to me^(N) by the Lord that you will show kindness^(O) to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign^{(P) 13} that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them^(Q)—and that you will save us from death.”

¹⁴ “Our lives for your lives!”^(R) the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully^(S) when the Lord gives us the land.”

¹⁵ So she let them down by a rope^(T) through the window,^(U) for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. ¹⁶ She said to them, “Go to the hills^(V) so the pursuers^(W) will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days^(X) until they return, and then go on your way.”^(Y)

¹⁷ Now the men had said to her, “This oath^(Z) you made us swear will not be binding on us ¹⁸ unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord^(AA) in the window^(AB) through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family^(AC) into your house. ¹⁹ If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads;^(AD) we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head^(AE) if a hand is laid on them. ²⁰ But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.^(AF)”