NET Bible
"they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched."
— Joshua 9:4, NET Bible
“They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;”
“they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-skins, old and rent and bound up, ”
“they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn and bound up,”
“Cunningly devising took for themselves provisions, laying old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles rent and sewed up again,”
“Acting with deceit, got food together as if for a long journey; and took old food-bags for their asses, and old and cracked wine-skins kept together with cord;”
“They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;”
The Gibeonites Deceive Israel When the news reached all the kings on the west side of the Jordan– in the hill country, the foothills, and all along the Mediterranean coast as far as Lebanon(including the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)–
they formed an alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel.
When the residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai,
they did something clever. They collected some provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys, along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and patched.
They had worn-out, patched sandals on their feet and dressed in worn-out clothes. All their bread was dry and hard.
They came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel,“We have come from a distant land. Make a treaty with us.”
The men of Israel said to the Hivites,“Perhaps you live near us. So how can we make a treaty with you?”