17 The men said to her, “We will be free from this oath that you have made us swear,
18 unless, when we come into the land, you tie this red cord to the window through which you let us down. You must bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all who belong to your father’s household into your home.
19 Anyone who comes out of the doors of your house into the street is responsible for his own blood, and we will be innocent. Yet for anyone who stays with you inside the house, we are responsible for his blood if someone should lay a hand on him.
20 But if you tell about this business of ours, then we will be released from the oath that you have made us swear.”
21 She said, “Let it be so, according to your words.” Then she sent them off, and they departed. Then she tied the red cord in the window.
22 They went and came to the hill country. They stayed there three days, until the pursuers returned. The pursuers had sought them all along the way but had not found them.
23 So the two men returned. They descended from the hill country. They crossed the river, came to Joshua son of Nun, and told him all that they had discovered.