3 So 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.
4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city; do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.
5 And I and all the people that are with me, will approach the city; and when they come out against us, as at the first, we will flee before them
6 (for they will come out after us) until we have raptured them out of the city; for they will say, They flee before us as at the first. Therefore, we will flee before them.
7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush and take possession of the city; for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand.
8 And when ye have taken the city, ye shall set the city on fire. Ye shall do according to the word of the Lord. See, I have commanded you.
9 Then Joshua sent them forth, and they went to lie in ambush and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; and Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people.