9
And they said unto him, "From a very far country thy servants have come because of the name of the LORD thy God; for we have heard the fame of him and all that he did in Egypt,
10
and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan -- to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.
11
Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, `Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them and say unto them, "We are your servants. Therefore now make ye a league with us."'
12
This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry and it is moldy.
13
And these skins of wine which we filled were new, and behold, they are rent; and these our garments and our shoes have become old by reason of the very long journey."
14
And the men took of their provisions, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
15
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them to let them live; and the princes of the congregation swore unto them.
16
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors and that they dwelt among them.
17
And the children of Israel journeyed and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
18
And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
19
But all the princes said unto all the congregation, "We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.