On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab
the harlot was saved. For when spies were sent
by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king
of the country ascertained that they were come
to spy out their land, and sent men to seize
them, in order that, when taken, they might be
put to death. But the hospitable Rahab receiv-
ing them, concealed them on the roof of her
house unaer some stalks of flax. And when
the men sent by the king arrived and said,
" There came men unto thee who are to spy out
our land ; bring them forth, for so the king com-
mands," she answered them, " The two men
whom ye seek came unto me, but quickly de-
parted again and are gone," thus not discovering
the spies to them. Then she said to the rnen,
" I know assuredly that the Lord your God hath
given you this city, for the fear and dread of you
have fallen on its inhabitants. When therefore
ye shall have taken it, keep ye me and the house
of my father in safety." And they said to her,
'' It shall be as thou hast spoken to us. As
soon, therefore, as thou knowest that we are at
hand, thou shalt gather all thy family under thy
roof, and they shall be preserved, but all that
are found outside of thy dwelling shall perish." 5
Moreover, they gave her a sign to this effect,
that she should hang forth from her house a
scarlet thread. And thus they made it manifest
that redemjition should flow through the blood
of the Lord to all them that believe and hope