23. The same thing happened to the Avvites who lived in villages as far away as Gaza. The Caphtorites, who came from Crete, wiped them out and took their place.
24. ⌊The Lord continued,⌋ “Now break camp. Cross the Arnon Valley. I’m going to hand King Sihon of Heshbon, the Amorite, over to you. Fight him, and take possession of his country.
25. Today I will start to make all the people under heaven terrified of you. When they hear about you, they will tremble and shake because of you.”
26. From the desert of Kedemoth, I sent messengers to King Sihon of Heshbon with the following offer of peace:
27. “If you allow us to travel through your country, we’ll go straight through and won’t ever leave the road.