16
But three days later, after they had made the covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, that they lived there with them.
17
The people of Isra'el traveled and arrived at their cities on the third day. Their cities were Giv'on, K'firah, Be'erot and Kiryat-Ye'arim.
18
The people of Isra'el did not attack them, because the leading officials of the community had sworn to them by ADONAI, the God of Isra'el; but all the community grumbled against the leaders.
19
However, the leaders replied to the whole community, "We have sworn to them by ADONAI, the God of Isra'el; so we can't touch them.
20
Here is what we will do to them: we will let them live, so that God's anger will not be on us because of the oath we swore to them.
21
Yes, let them live," the leaders continued, "but let them chop wood and draw water for the whole community." This is what the leaders said.
22
Y'hoshua summoned them and said this to them: "Why have you deceived us by saying, 'We come from a place very far away,' when in fact you are living right here with us?
23
Now you have a curse on you: you will be slaves forever, supplying people to chop wood and draw water for the house of my God."
24
They answered Y'hoshua, "It is because we heard the reports that ADONAI your God had ordered his servant Moshe to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from ahead of you. So we were terrified for our lives on account of you; that's why we did this.
25
Now, as you see, we are in your hands; do to us whatever seems good and right to you."
26
So Y'hoshua did exactly that: he saved them from the power of the people of Isra'el, so that they didn't kill them.