13
These were new wineskins when we filled them. Look at them now! See how they are splitting! Our clothes and sandals are also worn-out because we have come such a long way."
14
The men believed the evidence they were shown, but they did not ask the LORD about it.
15
So Joshua made peace with them by making a treaty which allowed them to live. The leaders of the congregation swore to it with an oath.
16
But three days after the treaty was made, the Israelites heard that these people were their neighbors and lived with them.
17
The Israelites broke camp. They came to the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim two days later.
18
The Israelites didn't destroy these other people, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath about them to the LORD God of Israel. The whole congregation complained about the leaders.
19
But all the leaders said to them, "We have sworn an oath about them to the LORD God of Israel, so we cannot touch them now.
20
We must let them live to avoid [the LORD's] anger because of the oath we swore."
21
The leaders said that they should be allowed to live. So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation, as the leaders had said.
22
Joshua sent for the people of Gibeon and asked, "Why did you deceive us by saying, 'We live very far away from you,' when you live here with us?
23
You are under a curse now. You will always be servants. You will be woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God."