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 Kirjathjearim.
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 swore 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 spoke unto them, saying, "Why 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 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, even unto this day, in the place which He should choose.