15
Joshua made a treaty of friendship with the people of Gibeon and allowed them to live. The leaders of the community of Israel gave their solemn promise to keep the treaty.
16
Three days after the treaty had been made, the Israelites learned that these people did indeed live nearby.
17
So the people of Israel started out and three days later arrived at the cities where these people lived: Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
18
But the Israelites could not kill them, because their leaders had made a solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord, Israel's God. All the people complained to the leaders about this,
19
but they answered, "We have made our solemn promise to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. Now we cannot harm them.
20
We must let them live because of our promise; if we don't, God will punish us.
21
Let them live, but they will have to cut wood and carry water for us." This was what the leaders suggested.
22
Joshua ordered the people of Gibeon to be brought to him, and he asked them, "Why did you deceive us and tell us that you were from far away, when you live right here?
23
Because you did this, God has condemned you. Your people will always be slaves, cutting wood and carrying water for the sanctuary of my God."
24
They answered, "We did it, sir, because we learned that it was really true that the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to kill the people living in it as you advanced. We did it because we were terrified of you; we were in fear of our lives.
25
Now we are in your power; do with us what you think is right."