n of the land of Canaan, when it would be in their
power to make her amends for her preservation of them, to remember
what danger she had undergone for their sakes; for that if she had
been caught concealing them, she could not have escaped a terrible
destruction, she and all her family with her, and so bid them go home;
and desired them to swear to her to preserve her and her family when
they should take the city, and destroy all its inhabitants, as they had
decreed to do; for so far she said she had been assured by those Divine
miracles of which she had been informed. So these spies acknowledged
that they owed her thanks for what she had done already, and withal
swore to requite her kindness, not only in words, but in deeds. But they
gave her this advice, That when she should perceive that the city was
about to be taken, she should put her goods, and all her family, by
way of security, in her inn, and to hang out scarlet threads before her
doors, [or windows,] that the commander of the Hebrews might know her
house, and take care to do her no harm; for, said they, we will inform
him of this matter, because of the concern thou hast had to preserve us:
but if any one of thy family fall in the battle, do not thou blame
us; and we beseech that God, by whom we have sworn, not then to be
displeased with us, as though we had broken our oaths. So these men,
when they had made this agreement, went away, letting themselves down
by a rope from the wall, and escaped, and came and told their own people
whatsoever they had done in their journey to this city. Joshua also told
Eleazar the high priest, and the senate, what the spies had sworn to
Rahab, who continued what had been sworn.

3. Now while Joshua, the commander, was in fear about their passing over
Jordan, for the river ran with a strong current, and could not be
passed over with bridges, for there never had been bridges laid over it
hitherto; and while he suspected, that if he should attempt to make a
bridge, that their enemies would not afford him thee to perfect it, and
for ferry-boats they had none,-God promised so to dispose of the river,
that they might pass over it, and that by taking away the main part of
its waters. So Joshua, after two days, caused the army and the whole
multitude to pass over in the manner following:--The priests went first
of all, having the ark with them; then went the Levites bearing the
tabernacle and the vessels which belonged to the sacrifice