12
Here is our bread; it was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey, on the day we set forth to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and moldy;
13
these wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they are burst; and these garments and shoes of ours are worn out from the very long journey."
14
So the men partook of their provisions, and did not ask direction from the LORD.
15
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders 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 dwelt among them.
17
And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephi'rah, Be-er'oth, and Kir'iath-je'arim.
18
But the people of Israel did not kill them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders.
19
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now 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 to them."
21
And the leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the leaders had said of them.
22
Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, "Why did you deceive us, saying, 'We are very far from you,' when you dwell among us?