⁸ From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel^(A) and pitched his tent,^(B) with Bethel on the west and Ai^(C) on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.^(D)

¹⁷ Not a man remained in Ai or Bethel who did not go after Israel. They left the city open and went in pursuit of Israel.

⁹ Then Joshua sent them off, and they went to the place of ambush^(A) and lay in wait between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai—but Joshua spent that night with the people.

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.