18
And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
19
But all the princes said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
20
This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we swore to them.
21
And the princes said to them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood, and drawers of water to all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.
22
And Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, Why have ye deceived us, saying, We [are] very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
23
Now therefore ye [are] cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bond-men, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
24
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were greatly afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
25
And now, behold, we [are] in thy hand: do as it seemeth good and right to thee to do to us,
26
And so did he to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
27
And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even to this day, in the place which he should choose.