Joshua 8:2-12

2You must destroy the city and its king as you destroyed Jericho and its king. But this time you may take their valuable things and their animals for yourselves. Hide some of your men behind the city, so that they are ready to attack.’

3So Joshua and the whole army marched towards Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 of the best soldiers and he sent some of them out at night time.

4He said to them, ‘Listen carefully. Go and hide behind the city. Stay near to it. Be ready to attack!

5In the morning, I will march towards the city with our other soldiers. When we get near to the city, the enemy's men will come out of the city to fight against us, as they did before. Then we will turn round and we will run away.

6They will chase us away from the city. They will say, “The Israelites are running away from us, as they did before.” We will continue to run away from them.

7Then you must leave the place where you have hidden. Go into the city and take it. The Lord your God will give it to you.

8When you have taken the city, start to burn it. Do what the Lord has told you to do. Be sure that you obey my commands.’

9Then Joshua sent the men away. They went and they hid on the west side of Ai, between Bethel and Ai. But Joshua stayed with his other soldiers that night.

10Early the next morning, Joshua took the army to march towards Ai. He and the leaders of Israel marched in front.

11The soldiers who were with Joshua marched up to the city. They stopped in front of it, on the north side. They put up their tents there, where there was a valley between them and the city.

12Joshua had already sent about 5,000 men to hide on the west side of the city, between Bethel and Ai.