16
And it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
17
And the children of Israel departed and came to their cities; and their cities Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarin.
18
Land the children of Israel fought not with them, because all the princes sware to them by the Lord God of Israel; and all the congregation murmured at the princes.
19
And the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.
20
This we will do; take them alive, and we will preserve them: so there shall not be wrath against us by reason of the oath which we swore to them.
21
They shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.
22
And Joshua called them together and said to them, Why have ye deceived me, saying, We live very far from you; whereas ye are fellow-countrymen of those who dwell among us?
23
And now ye are cursed: there shall not fail of you a slave, or a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water to me and my God.
24
And they answered Joshua, saying, It was reported to us what the Lord thy God charged his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to destroy us and all that dwelt on it from before you; and we feared very much for our lives because of you, and we did this thing.
25
And now, behold, we in your power; do to us as it is pleasing to you, and as it seems to you.
26
And they did so to them; and Joshua rescued them in that day out of the hands of the children of Israel, and they did not slay them.