For when spies were sent out by Joshua the son of Nun to Jericho, the king of the land learned that they had come to spy out his country, and sent men to seize them, that being seized they might be put to death.
And when the king's men came and said, "The spies of our land came in to you; bring them out, for so the king commands," she answered: "The men whom you seek did indeed come in to me, but they went away at once and are journeying on the road"; and she pointed them in the wrong direction.
And she said to the men: "I know assuredly that the Lord God is delivering this land to you; for the fear and dread of you has fallen upon those who dwell in it. When therefore it comes to pass that you take it, save me and my father's house."
And they said to her: "It shall be even as you have spoken to us. Therefore, when you know that we are approaching, you shall gather all your people under your roof, and they shall be saved; for whoever is found outside the house shall perish."
And they further charged her to give a sign, that she should hang out from her house a scarlet cord, thereby making it plain that through the blood of the Lord there shall be redemption for all who believe and hope in God.