3. Later they came back to Joshua and said, “There are only a few people in Ai, so we will not need all our people to defeat them. Send only two or three thousand men to fight. There is no need to send all of our people.”
4. So about three thousand men went up to Ai, but the people of Ai beat them badly.
5. The people of Ai killed about thirty-six Israelites and then chased the rest from the city gate all the way down to the canyon, killing them as they went down the hill. When the Israelites saw this, they lost their courage.
6. Then Joshua tore his clothes in sorrow. He bowed facedown on the ground before the Ark of the Lord and stayed there until evening. The leaders of Israel did the same thing. They also threw dirt on their heads to show their sorrow.
7. Then Joshua said, “Lord God, you brought our people across the Jordan River. Why did you bring us this far and then let the Amorites destroy us? We would have been happy to stay on the other side of the Jordan.
8. Lord, there is nothing I can say now. Israel has been beaten by the enemy.
9. The Canaanites and all the other people in this country will hear about this and will surround and kill us all! Then what will you do for your own great name?”
10. The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why are you down on your face?