Joshua 9:12-27 in English

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and is become mouldy:

¹³ and these wine-skins, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they are rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their provision, and asked not counsel at the mouth of Jehovah.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

²¹ And the princes said unto them, Let them live: so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken unto them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that Jehovah thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thy hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

²⁶ And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² These are the loaves—we took them hot for our journey on the day on which we came out to come to you; and now they are dried and become mouldy.

¹³ And these are the skins of wine which we filled when new, and they are rent; and our garments and our shoes are worn out because of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the chiefs took of their provision, and asked not counsel of the Lord.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and they made a covenant with them to preserve them; and the princes of the congregation sware to them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel departed and came to their cities; and their cities were Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarin.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel fought not with them, because all the princes sware to them by the Lord God of Israel; and all the congregation murmured at the princes.

¹⁹ And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.

²⁰ This we will do; take them alive, and we will preserve them: so there shall not be wrath against us by reason of the oath which we swore to them.

²¹ They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.

²² And Joshua called them together and said to them, Why have ye deceived me, saying, We live very far from you; whereas ye are fellow-countrymen of those who dwell among us?

²³ And now ye are cursed: there shall not fail of you a slave, or a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water to me and my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, saying, It was reported to us what the Lord thy God charged his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to destroy us and all that dwelt on it from before you; and we feared very much for our lives because of you, and therefore we did this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in your power; do to us as it is pleasing to you, and as it seems good to you.

²⁶ And they did so to them; and Joshua rescued them in that day out of the hands of the children of Israel, and they did not slay them.

²⁷ And Joshua made them in that day hewers of wood and drawers of water to the whole congregation, and for the altar of God: therefore the inhabitants of Gabaon became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the altar of God until this day, even for the place which the Lord should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:

¹³ And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

²¹ And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

²⁶ And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:

¹³ And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

²¹ And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

²⁶ And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² These are the loaves—we took them hot for our journey on the day on which we came out to come to you; and now they are dried and become mouldy.

¹³ And these are the skins of wine which we filled when new, and they are tore; and our garments and our shoes are worn out because of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the chiefs took of their provision, and asked not counsel of the Lord.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and they made a covenant with them to preserve them; and the princes of the congregation sware to them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbors, and that they lived among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel departed and came to their cities; and their cities were Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarin.

¹⁸ Land the children of Israel fought not with them, because all the princes sware to them by the Lord God of Israel; and all the congregation murmured at the princes.

¹⁹ And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.

²⁰ This we will do; take them alive, and we will preserve them: so there shall not be wrath against us by reason of the oath which we swore to them.

²¹ They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.

²² And Joshua called them together and said to them, Why have you° deceived me, saying, We live very far from you; whereas you° are fellow-countrymen of those who dwell among us?

²³ And now you° are cursed: there shall not fail of you a slave, or a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water to me and my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, saying, It was reported to us what the Lord your God charged his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to destroy us and all that lived on it from before you; and we feared very much for our lives because of you, and therefore we did this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in your power; do to us as it is pleasing to you, and as it seems good to you.

²⁶ And they did so to them; and Joshua rescued them in that day out of the hands of the children of Israel, and they did not kill them.

²⁷ And Joshua made them in that day hewers of wood and drawers of water to the whole congregation, and for the altar of God: therefore the inhabitants of Gabaon became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the altar of God until this day, even for the place which the Lord should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and is become mouldy:

¹³ and these wineskins, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their provision, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

²¹ And the princes said unto them, Let them live: so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had spoken unto them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

²⁶ And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² Look at our bread. It was fresh and warm from having been baked on the day that we left our area, but now it is dry and moldy.

¹³ Look at our leather wine bags. They were new when we filled them with wine before we left, but now they are cracked and old. Our clothes and our sandals are worn out from traveling on the long road to come here.”

¹⁴ The Israeli leaders tasted the bread, but they did not ask Yahweh what to do.

¹⁵ So Joshua agreed to make a peace agreement with the men from Gibeon to not kill them. All the Israeli leaders vowed to do what Joshua said in the agreement. Then the men from Gibeon returned home.

¹⁶ Three days later the Israelis found out that the men from Gibeon lived nearby.

¹⁷ So they went to where the men from Gibeon lived. After traveling only three days, they came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-Jearim.

¹⁸ But the Israelis did not attack the people of those cities, because they had promised to live peacefully with them, and Yahweh had heard them promise to do that. All the Israeli people grumbled against their leaders for doing that.

¹⁹ But the leaders answered, “We promised to live peacefully with them, and Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis worship, heard us promise to do that. So now we cannot attack EUP them.

²⁰ This is what we will do: We will not kill them. If we kill them, God will be very angry with us and punish us because of not doing what we promised to do.

²¹ So we must allow them to live. But they will cut wood for us, and they will carry water for us.” So the Israeli leaders did what they had promised.

²² Then Joshua summoned the men from Gibeon and asked them, “Why did you lie to us? Your land was near to where we had set up our tents, but you told us that you were from a distant land!

²³ So now you will become our slaves. You will always be forced to cut wood and carry water for us Israeli people who worship in the temple of our God.”

²⁴ The men from Gibeon replied, “We lied to you because we were afraid that you would kill us. We heard that Yahweh, your God, declared to his servant Moses that he would enable you to conquer all the people in this land and to kill all the people who lived in it.

²⁵ So now you can decide what you will do with us. Do what you think is right.”

²⁶ So Joshua saved the lives of the people of Gibeon by not allowing the Israelis to kill them.

²⁷ Instead, he forced them to become the Israelis' slaves. They cut wood and carried water for the Israelis. They also brought the wood and water that was needed for the sacred altar of Yahweh, to whatever place Yahweh decided that they should build one. And the people of Gibeon are still doing that.

¹² These are the loaves—we took them hot for our journey on the day on which we came out to come to you; and now they are dried and become mouldy.

¹³ And these are the skins of wine which we filled when new, and they are tore; and our garments and our shoes are worn out because of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the chiefs took of their provision, and asked not counsel of the Lord.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and they made a covenant with them to preserve them; and the princes of the congregation sware to them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbours, and that they lived amongst them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel departed and came to their cities; and their cities were Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarin.

¹⁸ Land the children of Israel fought not with them, because all the princes sware to them by the Lord God of Israel; and all the congregation murmured at the princes.

¹⁹ And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.

²⁰ This we will do; take them alive, and we will preserve them: so there shall not be wrath against us by reason of the oath which we swore to them.

²¹ They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.

²² And Joshua called them together and said to them, Why have you° deceived me, saying, We live very far from you; whereas you° are fellow-countrymen of those who dwell amongst us?

²³ And now you° are cursed: there shall not fail of you a slave, or a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water to me and my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, saying, It was reported to us what the Lord your God charged his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to destroy us and all that lived on it from before you; and we feared very much for our lives because of you, and therefore we did this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in your power; do to us as it is pleasing to you, and as it seems good to you.

²⁶ And they did so to them; and Joshua rescued them in that day out of the hands of the children of Israel, and they did not kill them.

²⁷ And Joshua made them in that day hewers of wood and drawers of water to the whole congregation, and for the altar of God: therefore the inhabitants of Gabaon became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the altar of God until this day, even for the place which the Lord should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become moldy.

¹³ These wine skins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

¹⁴ The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from Yahweh’s mouth.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.

¹⁷ The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”

²¹ The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

²² Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us?

²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”

²⁶ He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for Yahweh’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become moldy.

¹³ These wine skins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

¹⁴ The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from Yahweh’s mouth.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.

¹⁷ The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”

²¹ The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

²² Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us?

²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”

²⁶ He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for Yahweh’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become mouldy.

¹³ These wine skins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

¹⁴ The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from the LORD’s mouth.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they lived amongst them.

¹⁷ The children of Israel travelled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”

²¹ The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

²² Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live amongst us?

²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”

²⁶ He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the LORD’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This bread which we have with us for our food, we took warm and new from our houses when starting on our journey to you; but now see, it has become dry and broken up.

¹³ And these wine-skins were new when we put the wine in them, and now they are cracked as you see; and our clothing and our shoes have become old because of our very long journey here.

¹⁴ And the men took some of their food, without requesting directions from the Lord.

¹⁵ So Joshua made peace with them, and made an agreement with them that they were not to be put to death: and the chiefs of the people took an oath to them.

¹⁶ Now three days after, when they had made this agreement with them, they had word that these men were their neighbours, living near them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel went forward on their journey, and on the third day came to their towns. Now their towns were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel did not put them to death, because the chiefs of the people had taken an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. And all the people made an outcry against the chiefs.

¹⁹ But all the chiefs said to the people, We have taken an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and so we may not put our hands on them.

²⁰ This is what we will do to them: we will not put them to death, for fear that wrath may come on us because of our oath to them.

²¹ Keep them living, and let them be servants, cutting wood and getting water for all the people. And all the people did as the chiefs had said to them.

²² Then Joshua sent for them, and said to them, Why have you been false to us, saying, We are very far from you, when you are living among us?

²³ Now because of this you are cursed, and you will for ever be our servants, cutting wood and getting water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And, answering Joshua, they said, Because it came to the ears of your servants that the Lord your God had given orders to his servant Moses to give you all this land, and to send destruction on all the people living in it, because of you; so, fearing greatly for our lives because of you, we have done this.

²⁵ And now we are in your hands: do to us whatever seems good and right to you.

²⁶ So he kept them safe from the children of Israel, and did not let them be put to death.

²⁷ And that day Joshua made them servants, cutting wood and getting water for the people and for the altar of the Lord, in the place marked out by him, to this day.

¹² This our bread we took warm for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; and now, behold, it is dry, and is become mouldy.

¹³ And these flasks of wine which we filled new, behold, they are rent; and these our garments and our sandals are become old by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their victuals, but they did not inquire at the mouth of Jehovah.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the princes of the assembly swore unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt in their midst.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came to their cities on the third day; and their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel did not smite them, because the princes of the assembly had sworn unto them by Jehovah the God of Israel. Then all the assembly murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ And all the princes said to all the assembly, We have sworn unto them by Jehovah the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them, and let them live, lest wrath come upon us, because of the oath which we swore unto them.

²¹ And the princes said to them, Let them live. And they were hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the assembly; as the princes had said to them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, Why have ye deceived us, saying, We are very far from you; whereas ye dwell in our midst?

²³ And now ye are cursed, and ye shall never cease to be bondmen, and hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants how that Jehovah thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; and we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and did this thing.

²⁵ And now behold, we are in thy hand: as it is good and right in thine eyes to do to us, do.

²⁶ And he did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, and they did not slay them.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the assembly, and for the altar of Jehovah, to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² Behold, these leaves we took hot, when we set out from our houses to come to you, now they are become dry, and broken in pieces, by being exceeding old.

¹³ These bottles of wine when we filled them were new, now they are rent and burst. These garments we have on, and the shoes we have on our feet, by reason of the very long journey are worn out, and almost consumed.

¹⁴ They took therefore of their victuals, and consulted not the mouth of the Lord.

¹⁵ And Josue made peace with them, and entering into a league promised that they should not be slain: the princes also of the multitude swore to them.

¹⁶ Now three days after the league was made, they heard that they dwelt nigh, and they should be among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel removed the camp, and came into their cities on the third day, the names of which are Gabaon, and Caphira, and Beroth, and Cariathiarim.

¹⁸ And they slew them not, because the princes of the multitude had sworn in the name of the Lord the God of Israel. Then all the common people murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ And they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ But this we mill do to them: Let their lives be saved, lest the wrath of the Lord be stirred up against us, if we should be forsworn.

²¹ But so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things,

²² Josue called the Gabaonites and said to them: Why would you impose upon us, saying: We dwell far off from you, whereas you are in the midst of us?

²³ Therefore you shall be under a curse, and your race shall always be hewers of wood, and carriers of water unto the house of my God.

²⁴ They answered: It was told us thy servants, that the Lord thy God had promised his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants thereof. Therefore we feared exceedingly and provided for our lives. compelled by the dread we had of you and we took this counsel.

²⁵ And now we are in thy hand: deal with us as it seemeth good and right unto thee.

²⁶ So Josue did as he had said, and delivered them from the hand of the children of Israel, that they should not be slain.

²⁷ And he gave orders in that day that they should be in the service of all the people, and of the altar of the Lord, hewing wood and carrying water, until this present time, in the place which the Lord hath chosen.

¹² Look at this bread. It was warm when we took it from our houses on the day we set out to come here. But now it's dry and moldy, as you can see.

¹³ These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look at them now—they're split and damaged. These clothes of ours and our sandals are all worn out because the journey took so long.”

¹⁴ The Israelites tried some of the food. However, they did not consult the Lord.

¹⁵ Then Joshua made a treaty with them, promising to spare their lives, and the leaders of the assembly swore an oath to guarantee it.

¹⁶ Three days after they had made the treaty, the Israelites learned that the Gibeonites lived nearby, right among them!

¹⁷ The Israelites left to go to the Gibeonite towns, and arrived there on the third day. The towns were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ But the Israelites did not attack them because of the treaty sworn by the leaders of the assembly in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. At this all the Israelites protested against the leaders.

¹⁹ But the leaders replied to the people, “We swore to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, so we cannot lay a hand on them now.

²⁰ So this is what we're going to do to them. We'll let them live, so that we won't be punished for breaking the oath that we swore to them.”

²¹ The leaders concluded, “Let them live.” So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water-carriers in service to the entire assembly, as the Israelite leaders had ordered.

²² Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and asked them, “Why did you trick us? You told us, ‘We live a long way from you,’ but you live right next door to us!

²³ Consequently you are under a curse. From now on you shall forever be servants, woodcutters and water-carriers for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, “We your servants were told very clearly that the Lord your God had ordered Moses to give you all this land, and that all its inhabitants were to be wiped out before you. So we really feared for our lives because of you. That's why we did what we did.

²⁵ Now we're in your hands. Do to us what you think is right and just.”

²⁶ Joshua did as he had said. He saved them from the Israelites, so that they did not kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them woodcutters and water-carriers in service to the entire assembly and for the altar of the Lord wherever the Lord should choose. That is what they do right up to this very day.

¹² This our bread we tooke it hote with vs for vittailes out of our houses, the day we departed to come vnto you: but nowe beholde, it is dried, and it is mouled.

¹³ Also these bottels of wine which we filled, were newe, and lo, they be rent, and these our garments and our shooes are olde, by reason of the exceeding great iourney.

¹⁴ And the men accepted their tale concerning their vittailes, and counselled not with the mouth of the Lord.

¹⁵ So Ioshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, that he would suffer them to liue: also the Princes of the Congregation sware vnto them.

¹⁶ But at the end of three dayes, after they had made a league with them, they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel tooke their iourney, and came vnto their cities the third day, and their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth and Kiriath-iearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel slewe them not, because the Princes of the Congregation had sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel: wherefore all the Congregation murmured against the Princes.

¹⁹ Then all the Princes said vnto all the Congregation, We haue sworne vnto them by the Lord God of Israel: nowe therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ But this we wil doe to them, and let them liue, least the wrath be vpon vs because of the othe which we sware vnto them.

²¹ And the Princes sayd vnto them againe, Let them liue, but they shall hewe wood, and drawe water vnto all the Congregation, as the Princes appoint them.

²² Ioshua then called them, and talked with them, and sayd, Wherefore haue ye beguiled vs, saying, We are very farre from you, when ye dwel among vs?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Ioshua, and sayd, Because it was tolde thy seruants, that the Lord thy God had commanded his seruant Moses to giue you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land out of your sight, therefore we were exceeding sore afraid for our liues at the presence of you, and haue done this thing:

²⁵ And beholde nowe, we are in thine hand: doe as it seemeth good and right in thine eyes to doe vnto vs.

²⁶ Euen so did he vnto them, and deliuered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slewe them not.

²⁷ And Ioshua appointed them that same day to be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the Congregation, and for the altar of the Lord vnto this day, in the place which he should chuse.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and is become crumbs.

¹³ And these wine-skins, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they are rent. And these our garments and our shoes are worn by reason of the very long journey.'

¹⁴ And the men took of their provision, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the princes of the congregation swore unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said unto all the congregation: 'We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel; now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we swore unto them.'

²¹ And the princes said concerning them: 'Let them live'; so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken concerning them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spoke unto them, saying: 'Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying: We are very far from you, when ye dwell among us?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.'

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said: 'Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thy hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.'

²⁶ And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, unto this day, in the place which He should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:

¹³ and these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.

²¹ And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

²⁶ And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; and now, behold, it is dry, and it is become mouldy:

¹³ And these wine-bottles, which we filled, when new,— but behold, they are now become rent; and these our garments and our shoes are become worn out by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their provisions, but the decision of the Lord they did not ask.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the princes of the congregation swore unto them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt in the midst of them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel broke up, and came unto their cities on the third day; and their cities were Gib'on, and Kephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiryath-ye'arim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not; because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord, the God of Israel; but all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ And all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord the God of Israel: and now we cannot touch them.

²⁰ This will we do to them, and we will let them live, that there be no wrath upon us, on account of the oath which we have sworn unto them.

²¹ And the princes said unto them, Let them live: and they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken unto them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spoke unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye deceived us, saying, We are very far from you: whereas ye dwell in the midst of us?

²³ And now be ye cursed, and there shall not cease to be of you servants and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God had commanded his servant Moses to give unto you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; wherefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and we have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thy hand; as it seemeth good and right in thy eyes to do unto us, so do.

²⁶ And he did unto them thus; and he delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, and they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua appointed them on that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord, even unto this day, for the place which he should choose.

¹² These are the loaves—we took them hot for our journey on the day on which we came out to come to you; and now they are dried and become moldy.

¹³ And these are the skins of wine which we filled when new, and they are rent; and our garments and our shoes are worn out because of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the chiefs took of their provision, and asked not counsel of the Lord.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and they made a covenant with them to preserve them; and the princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel departed and came to their cities; and their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and the cities of Jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel fought not with them, because all the princes swore to them by the Lord God of Israel; and all the congregation murmured at the princes.

¹⁹ And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.

²⁰ This we will do; take them alive, and we will preserve them: so there shall not be wrath against us by reason of the oath which we swore to them.

²¹ They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.

²² And Joshua called them together and said to them, Why have ye deceived me, saying, We live very far from you; whereas ye are fellow countrymen of those who dwell among us?

²³ And now ye are cursed: there shall not fail of you a slave, or a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water to me and my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, saying, It was reported to us what the Lord thy God charged his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to destroy us and all that dwelt on it from before you; and we feared very much for our lives because of you, and therefore we did this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in your power; do to us as it is pleasing to you, and as it seems good to you.

²⁶ And they did so to them; and Joshua rescued them in that day out of the hands of the children of Israel, and they did not slay them.

²⁷ And Joshua made them in that day hewers of wood and drawers of water to the whole congregation, and for the altar of God: therefore the inhabitants of Gibeon became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the altar of God until this day, even for the place which the Lord should choose.

¹² This is our bread, it was still warm when we took it from our houses on the day we set out to come to you. But now, see, it is dry and moldy.

¹³ These wineskins were new when we filled them, and look, now they are leaking. Our garments and our sandals are worn-out from a very long journey.'”

¹⁴ So the Israelites took some of their provisions, but they did not consult with Yahweh for guidance.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The leaders of the people also made a vow to them.

¹⁶ Three days after the Israelites made this covenant with them, they learned that they were their neighbors and that they lived nearby.

¹⁷ Then the people of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The people of Israel did not attack them because their leaders had taken an oath about them before Yahweh, the God of Israel. All the Israelites were grumbling against their leaders.

¹⁹ But all the leaders said to all the people, “We have taken an oath concerning them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, and now we cannot harm them.

²⁰ This is what we will do to them: To avoid any wrath that may come on us because of the oath we swore to them, we will let them live.”

²¹ The leaders said to their people, “Let them live.” So, the Gibeonites became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the Israelites, just as the leaders said about them.

²² Joshua called for them and said, “Why did you deceive us when you said, 'We are very far from you', when you live right here among us?

²³ Now, because of this, you are cursed and some of you will always be slaves, those who cut wood and draw water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua and said, “Because it was told to your servants that Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you—so we were very afraid for our lives because of you. That is why we did this thing.

²⁵ Now, look, you hold us in your power. Whatever seems good and right for you to do to us, do it.”

²⁶ So Joshua did this for them: He delivered them out of the control of the people of Israel, so that the Israelites did not kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made the Gibeonites cutters of wood and drawers of water for the community, and for the altar of Yahweh, to this day, in the place that Yahweh chooses.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become moldy.

¹³ These wine skins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

¹⁴ The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from Yahweh’s mouth.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.

¹⁷ The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”

²¹ The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

²² Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us?

²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”

²⁶ He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for Yahweh’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become mouldy.

¹³ These wine skins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

¹⁴ The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from the LORD’s mouth.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they lived amongst them.

¹⁷ The children of Israel travelled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”

²¹ The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

²² Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live amongst us?

²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”

²⁶ He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the LORD’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is moldy:

¹³ And these bottles of wine which we filled, were new, and behold, they are rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

¹⁴ And the men took of their provisions, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.

¹⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed, and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.

¹⁸ And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we swore to them.

²¹ And the princes said to them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood, and drawers of water to all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.

²² And Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, Why have ye deceived us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

²³ Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bond-men, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

²⁴ And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were greatly afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ And now, behold, we are in thy hand: do as it seemeth good and right to thee to do to us,

²⁶ And so did he to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

²⁷ And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become moldy.

¹³ These wine skins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

¹⁴ The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from the LORD’s mouth.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.

¹⁷ The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”

²¹ The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

²² Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us?

²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”

²⁶ He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the LORD’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become mouldy.

¹³ These wine skins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

¹⁴ The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from the LORD’s mouth.

¹⁵ Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.

¹⁶ At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they lived amongst them.

¹⁷ The children of Israel travelled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

¹⁸ The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.

¹⁹ But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.

²⁰ We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”

²¹ The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

²² Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live amongst us?

²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how the LORD your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

²⁵ Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”

²⁶ He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.

²⁷ That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the LORD’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.

¹² And we took hot loaves, when we went out of our houses to come to you; now they be made dry and broken, for great eldness;

¹³ we filled new bottles of wine; now they be broken and unsewed; the clothes and shoes, with which we be clothed, and which we have on our feet, be broken and well-nigh wasted, from the length of long way.

¹⁴ Then they took of the meats of these men, and they asked not counsel of the Lord.

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them. And when the bond of peace was made, he promised, that they should not be slain; and the princes of the multitude swore to them.

¹⁶ And after three days of the bond of peace made, the men of Israel heard, that those men dwelled in nigh place, and that they should be soon among those men.

¹⁷ And the sons of Israel moved their tents, and came in the third day into the cities of them, of which cities these be the names; Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriathjearim.

¹⁸ And Israel destroyed not them, for the princes of the multitude had sworn to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Therefore all the common people grutched against the princes of Israel;

¹⁹ and the princes answered to them, We swore to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them;

²⁰ but we shall do this thing to them; be they kept that they live, lest the ire of the Lord be stirred against us, if we forswear us to them;

²¹ but so live they, that they hew trees, and bear waters, into the uses of all the multitude. And while they spake these things,

²² Joshua called Gibeonites, and said to them, Why would ye deceive us by fraud, that ye said, We dwell full far from you, since ye be in the midst of us?

²³ Therefore ye shall be under cursing, and none shall fail of your generation, hewing trees and bearing waters, into the house of my God.

²⁴ Which answered, It was told to us thy servants, that thy Lord God promised to Moses, his servant, that he should betake to you all the land, and should lose all the dwellers thereof; therefore we dreaded greatly, and purveyed to our lives, and we were compelled by your dread, and we took this counsel.

²⁵ Now forsooth we be in thine hand; do thou to us that, that seemeth rightful or right and good to thee.

²⁶ Therefore Joshua did, as he said, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, that they should not be slain.

²⁷ And in that day Joshua deemed them to be into the service of all the people, and of the altar of the Lord, and to hew trees, and to bear waters, till into present time, in the place which the Lord had chosen.

¹² And we took hot loaves, when we went out of our houses to come to you; (but) now they be made dry and broken, for great eldness;

¹³ we filled new bottles of wine (or and we filled new bottles with wine); (but) now they be broken and unsewed; (and) the clothes and (the) shoes, with which we be clothed, and which we have on our feet, be broken and well-nigh wasted, from the length of (the) long way.

¹⁴ Then they took of the meats of these men, and they asked not counsel of the Lord. (And they took some food from these men, but they did not ask any counsel from the Lord.)

¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them. And when the bond of peace was made, he promised, that they should not be slain; and the princes of the multitude swore to them. (And so Joshua made peace with them. And when the covenant was made, he promised, that they would not be killed; and the leaders of the multitude swore to them as well. And they went away.)

¹⁶ And after three days of the bond of peace made, the men of Israel heard, that those men dwelled in nigh place, and that they should be soon among those men. (And three days after that the covenant was made, the Israelites heard that those men lived nearby, and that they would soon be among them.)

¹⁷ And the sons of Israel moved their tents, and came in the third day into the cities of them, (or And the Israelites moved their camp, and came on the third day into their cities), of which cities these be the names; Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriathjearim.

¹⁸ And Israel destroyed not them, for the princes of the multitude had sworn to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Therefore all the common people grouched against the princes of Israel; (But Israel did not destroy them, for the leaders of the multitude had sworn to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. And so all the common people grumbled against Israel’s leaders;)

¹⁹ and the princes answered to them, We swore to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them; (and the leaders answered to them, and said, We swore to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and so we cannot touch them;)

²⁰ but we shall do this thing to them; be they kept that they live, lest the ire of the Lord be stirred against us, if we forswear us to them; (but we shall do this to them; let them be kept alive, lest the Lord’s anger be stirred up against us, if we break our oath to them;)

²¹ but so live they, that they hew trees, and bear waters, into the uses of all the multitude. And while they spake these things, (but let them live, so that they can cut wood, and carry water, for the use of all the multitude of Israel. And while they spoke of these things,)

²² Joshua called (for the) Gibeonites, and said to them, Why would ye deceive us by fraud, (so) that ye said, We dwell full far from you, since ye be in the midst of us? (or We live far away from you, when truly ye live right here in the midst of us?)

²³ Therefore ye shall be under cursing, and none shall fail of your generation, hewing trees and bearing waters, into the house of my God. (And so because ye did this, ye shall all be cursed, and none of your generation shall ever be free, from cutting wood and carrying water, for the House of my God or for God’s household, or his family.)

²⁴ Which answered, It was told to us thy servants, that thy Lord God promised to Moses, his servant, that he should betake to you all the land, and should lose all the dwellers thereof; therefore we dreaded greatly, and purveyed to our lives, and we were compelled by your dread, and we took this counsel. (And they answered, It was told to us thy servants, that the Lord thy God promised to his servant Moses, that he would deliver all the land to you, and would destroy all of its inhabitants; and so we greatly feared, and purveyed for our own lives, and we were compelled by our fear of you, and so we did this thing.)

²⁵ Now forsooth we be in thine hand; do thou to us that, that seemeth rightful and good to thee. (And so now we be in thy hands; do thou to us what seemeth right and good to thee.)

²⁶ Therefore Joshua did, as he said, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, that they should not be slain. (And so Joshua did, as he said, and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they were not killed.)

²⁷ And in that day Joshua deemed them to be into the service of all the people, and of the altar of the Lord, and to hew trees, and to bear waters, till into present time, in the place which the Lord had chosen. (And on that day, Joshua decreed them to be in the service of all the people of Israel, and of the altar of the Lord, and to cut wood, and to carry water, yea, even until this present time, in the place which the Lord had chosen.)

¹² this our bread — hot we provided ourselves with it out of our houses, on the day of our coming out to go unto you, and now, lo, it is dry, and hath been crumbs;

¹³ and these are the wine-bottles which we filled, new, and lo, they have rent; and these, our garments and our sandals, have become old, from the exceeding greatness of the way.'

¹⁴ And the men take of their provision, and the mouth of Jehovah have not asked;

¹⁵ and Joshua maketh with them peace, and maketh with them a covenant, to keep them alive; and swear to them do the princes of the company.

¹⁶ And it cometh to pass, at the end of three days after that they have made with them a covenant, that they hear that they are their neighbours — that in their midst they are dwelling.

¹⁷ And the sons of Israel journey and come in unto their cities on the third day — and their cities are Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-Jearim —

¹⁸ and the sons of Israel have not smitten them, for sworn to them have the princes of the company by Jehovah God of Israel, and all the company murmur against the princes.

¹⁹ And all the princes say unto all the company, 'We — we have sworn to them by Jehovah, God of Israel; and now, we are not able to come against them;

²⁰ this we do to them, and have kept them alive, and wrath is not upon us, because of the oath which we have sworn to them.'

²¹ And the princes say unto them, 'They live, and are hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the company, as the princes spake to them.'

²² And Joshua calleth for them, and speaketh unto them, saying, 'Why have ye deceived us, saying, We are very far from you, and ye in our midst dwelling?

²³ and now, cursed are ye, and none of you is cut off from being a servant, even hewers of wood and drawers of water, for the house of my God.'

²⁴ And they answer Joshua and say, 'Because it was certainly declared to thy servants, that Jehovah thy God commanded Moses His servant to give to you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; and we fear greatly for ourselves because of you, and we do this thing;

²⁵ and now, lo, we are in thy hand, as it is good, and as it is right in thine eyes to do to us — do.'

²⁶ And he doth to them so, and delivereth them from the hand of the sons of Israel, and they have not slain them;

²⁷ and Joshua maketh them on that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the company, and for the altar of Jehovah, unto this day, at the place which He doth choose.