14
The men took of their provision, and didn`t ask counsel at the mouth of Yahweh.
15
Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation swore to them.
16
It happened 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 lived among them.
17
The children of Israel journeyed, and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and 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
This we will do 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 to 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 dwell among us?
23
Now therefore you are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondservants, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.