3 When the people living in Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 they devised a scheme. They posed as messengers. They took worn-out sacks on their donkeys. Their wineskins were old, split, and patched.
5 Their sandals were worn-out and repaired, and their clothes were tattered. All their bread was dried out and crumbling.
6 They came to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal. They told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country. Make a treaty with us right now.”
7 The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “What if you’re living in this area? We wouldn’t be able to make a treaty with you.”
8 They responded to Joshua, “We’re at your mercy.”Joshua asked them, “Who are you, and where did you come from?”
9 They answered him, “We came from a country very far away because the Lord your God has become famous. We heard stories about him and everything he did in Egypt.