²⁴ When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai in the fields and in the wilderness where they had chased them, and when every one of them had been put to the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and killed those who were in it. ²⁵ Twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai.^{(A) 26} For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin^(B) until he had destroyed^[a](C) all who lived in Ai.^{(D) 27} But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the Lord had instructed Joshua.^(E)

²⁸ So Joshua burned^(F) Ai^[b](G) and made it a permanent heap of ruins,^(H) a desolate place to this day.^{(I) 29} He impaled the body of the king of Ai on a pole and left it there until evening. At sunset,^(J) Joshua ordered them to take the body from the pole and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And they raised a large pile of rocks^(K) over it, which remains to this day.

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a](A) and hate your enemy.’^{(B) 44} But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^{(C) 45} that you may be children^(D) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(E) 46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^(F) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.^(G)