11
Therefore, our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take provision with you for the journey and go to meet them and say unto them, We
are your slaves; therefore, now make ye a covenant with us.
12
This our bread we took hot
for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to come unto you, but now, behold, it is dry and mouldy.
13
These bottles of wine, we also filled 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
of Israel took of their provision and did not ask
counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
15
And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; also the princes of the congregation swore unto them.
16
At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard how they
were their neighbours and that they dwelt among them.
17
And the sons 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 sons of Israel did not smite them 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; therefore, now we may not touch them.
20
This we will do to them; we will let them live lest wrath come 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 said unto them.