Joshua 9:1-9 ▼

1 Now when news of this reached all the kings west of the Jordan—those in the hill country, the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon (the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)—

2 they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.

3 But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

4 acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.

5 They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.

6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us.”

7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?”

8 “We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”

9 “Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt,