11. We heard, and our hearts melted within us; everyone is utterly dispirited because of you, since the Lord, your God, is God in heaven above and on earth below.
12. Now then, swear to me by the Lord that, since I am showing kindness to you, you in turn will show kindness to my family. Give me a reliable sign
13. that you will allow my father and mother, brothers and sisters, and my whole family to live, and that you will deliver us from death.”
14. “We pledge our lives for yours,” they answered her. “If you do not betray our mission, we will be faithful in showing kindness to you when the Lord gives us the land.”
15. Then she let them down through the window with a rope; for she lived in a house built into the city wall.
16. “Go up into the hill country,” she said, “that your pursuers may not come upon you. Hide there for three days, until they return; then you may go on your way.”
17. They answered her, “We are free of this oath that you made us take, unless,
18. when we come into the land, you tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you are letting us down. Gather your father and mother, your brothers, and all your family into your house.
19. Should any of them pass outside the doors of your house, their blood will be on their own heads, and we will be guiltless. But if anyone in your house is harmed, their blood will be on our heads.
20. If, however, you betray our mission, we will be free of the oath you have made us take.”
21. “Let it be as you say,” she replied, and sent them away. When they were gone, she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
22. They went up into the hill country, where they stayed three days until their pursuers, who had sought them all along the road without finding them, returned.