¹⁶ Next, all the troops who were still in the city were called out to chase them. They chased after Joshua and so let themselves be drawn away from the city. ¹⁷ No one who hadn’t gone out after Israel was left in either Ai or Bethel. They left the city wide open and chased after Israel.

¹⁸ The Lord said to Joshua, “Point the dagger in your hand toward Ai, because I will give it into your power.” So Joshua pointed the dagger in his hand toward the city.