16. Three days after the covenant was made, the Israelites heard that these people were from nearby, and would be living in Israel.
17. The third day on the road, the Israelites came to their cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim,
18. but did not attack them, because the leaders of the community had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. When the entire community grumbled against the leaders,
19. these all remonstrated with the community, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and so we cannot harm them.
20. Let us therefore let them live, and so deal with them that no wrath fall upon us because of the oath we have sworn to them.”
21. Thus the leaders said to them, “Let them live, and become hewers of wood and drawers of water for the entire community.” So the community did as the leaders advised them.
22. Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said to them, “Why did you deceive us and say, ‘We live far off from you’?—You live among us!