¹² “Now then, please swear to me^(A) by the Lord that you will show kindness^(B) to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign^{(C) 13} that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them^(D)—and that you will save us from death.”

¹⁴ “Our lives for your lives!”^(E) the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully^(F) when the Lord gives us the land.”

¹⁵ So she let them down by a rope^(G) through the window,^(H) for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. ¹⁶ She said to them, “Go to the hills^(I) so the pursuers^(J) will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days^(K) until they return, and then go on your way.”^(L)

¹⁷ Now the men had said to her, “This oath^(M) you made us swear will not be binding on us ¹⁸ unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord^(N) in the window^(O) through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family^(P) into your house. ¹⁹ If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads;^(Q) we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head^(R) if a hand is laid on them.

³¹ By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.^[a](A)