17-20 The men told her, “In order to keep this oath you made us swear, here is what you must do: Hang this red rope out the window through which you let us down and gather your entire family with you in your house—father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Anyone who goes out the doors of your house into the street and is killed, it’s his own fault—we aren’t responsible. But for everyone within the house we take full responsibility. If anyone lays a hand on one of them, it’s our fault. But if you tell anyone of our business here, the oath you made us swear is canceled—we’re no longer responsible.”

21 She said, “If that’s what you say, that’s the way it is,” and sent them off. They left and she hung the red rope out the window.

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17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath(A) you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord(B) in the window(C) through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family(D) into your house. 19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads;(E) we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head(F) if a hand is laid on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.(G)

21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”

So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord(H) in the window.(I)

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