Joshua 8:2-11
New American Standard Bible
3So Joshua rose up with all the people of war to go up to Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand men, valiant warriors, and sent them out at night.
4He commanded them, saying, 'See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.
5Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us as they did the first time, we will flee before them.
6They will come out after us until we have lured them away from the city, for they will say, β They are fleeing before us just as they did the first time.β So we will flee before them.
7Then you shall rise from your ambush and take possession of the city, for the Lord your God will hand it over to you.
8Then it will be when you have seized the city, that you shall set the city on fire. You shall do it in accordance with the word of the Lord. See, I have commanded you.'
9So Joshua sent them away, and they went to the place of ambush and remained between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; but Joshua spent that night among the people.
10Now Joshua got up early in the morning and mustered the people, and he went up with the elders of Israel before the people to Ai.
11Then all the people of war who were with him went up and approached, and arrived in front of the city; and they camped on the north side of Ai. And there was a valley between him and Ai.
King James Version
3So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.
4And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
5And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,
6(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.
7Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.
8And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.
9Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.
10And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
11And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
Christian Standard Bible
3So Joshua and all the troops set out to attack Ai. Joshua selected thirty thousand of his best soldiers and sent them out at night.
4He commanded them, "Pay attention. Lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it, and all of you be ready.
5Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.
6They will come after us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, 'They are fleeing from us as before.' While we are fleeing from them,
7you are to come out of your ambush and seize the city. The Lord your God will hand it over to you.
8After taking the city, set it on fire. Follow the Lord's command--see that you do as I have ordered you."
9So Joshua sent them out, and they went to the ambush site and waited between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. But he spent that night with the troops.
New Living Translation
3So Joshua and all the fighting men set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 of his best warriors and sent them out at night
4with these orders: 'Hide in ambush close behind the town and be ready for action.
5When our main army attacks, the men of Ai will come out to fight as they did before, and we will run away from them.
6We will let them chase us until we have drawn them away from the town. For they will say, βThe Israelites are running away from us as they did before.β Then, while we are running from them,
7you will jump up from your ambush and take possession of the town, for the Lord your God will give it to you.
8Set the town on fire, as the Lord has commanded. You have your orders.'
9So they left and went to the place of ambush between Bethel and the west side of Ai. But Joshua remained among the people in the camp that night.
10Early the next morning Joshua roused his men and started toward Ai, accompanied by the elders of Israel.
11All the fighting men who were with Joshua marched in front of the town and camped on the north side of Ai, with a valley between them and the town.
English Standard Version
3So Joshua and all the fighting men arose to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out by night.
4And he commanded them, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you remain ready.
5And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them.
6And they will come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city. For they will say, ‘They are fleeing from us, just as before.’ So we will flee before them.
7Then you shall rise up from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will give it into your hand.
8And as soon as you have taken the city, you shall set the city on fire. You shall do according to the word of the LORD. See, I have commanded you.”
9So Joshua sent them out. And they went to the place of ambush and lay between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai, but Joshua spent that night among the people.
New International Version
3So Joshua and the whole army moved out to attack Ai. He chose thirty thousand of his best fighting men and sent them out at night
4with these orders: 'Listen carefully. You are to set an ambush behind the city. Don't go very far from it. All of you be on the alert.
5I and all those with me will advance on the city, and when the men come out against us, as they did before, we will flee from them.
6They will pursue us until we have lured them away from the city, for they will say, 'They are running away from us as they did before.' So when we flee from them,
7you are to rise up from ambush and take the city. The LORD your God will give it into your hand.
8When you have taken the city, set it on fire. Do what the LORD has commanded. See to it; you have my orders.'