14
They took therefore of their victuals, and consulted not the mouth of the Lord.
15
And Josue made peace with them, and entering into a league, promised that they should not be slain: the princes also of the multitude swore to them.
16
Now three days after the league was made, they heard that they dwelt nigh, and they should be among them.
17
And the children of Israel removed the camp, and came into their cities on the third day, the names of which are, Gabaon, and Caphira, and Beroth, and Cariathiarim.
18
And they slew them not, because the princes of the multitude had sworn in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the common people murmured against the princes.
19
And they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.
20
But this we will do to them: Let their lives be saved, lest the wrath of the Lord be stirred up against us, if we should be forsworn:
21
But so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things,
22
Josue called the Gabaonites, and said to them: Why would you impose upon us, saying: We dwell very far off from you, whereas you are in the midst of us?
23
Therefore you shall be under a curse, and your race shall always be hewers of wood, and carriers of water, into the house of my God.
24
They answered: It was told us, thy servants, that the Lord thy God had promised his servant Moses, to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants thereof. Therefore we feared exceedingly and provided for our lives, compelled by the dread we had of you, and we took this counsel.