11
Wherefore our elders, and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, We [are] your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us:
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.