² Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai,^(A) which is near Beth Aven^(B) to the east of Bethel,^(C) and told them, “Go up and spy out^(D) the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

³ When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” ⁴ So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai,^{(E) 5} who killed about thirty-six^(F) of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear^(G) and became like water.

⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes^(H) and fell facedown^(I) to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening.^(J) The elders of Israel^(K) did the same, and sprinkled dust^(L) on their heads. ⁷ And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord, why^(M) did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?^(N) If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! ⁸ Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? ⁹ The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth.^(O) What then will you do for your own great name?^(P)”