11. And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, “Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, ‘We are your servants; make a treaty with us.’ ”
12. This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and mouldy it is.
13. And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.’
14. The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not enquire of the Lord.
15. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.
16. Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbours, living near them.
17. So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim.
18. But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders,
19. but all the leaders answered, ‘We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now.
20. This is what we will do to them: we will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.’
21. They continued, ‘Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water-carriers in the service of the whole assembly.’ So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.
22. Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, ‘Why did you deceive us by saying, “We live a long way from you,” while actually you live near us?
23. You are now under a curse: you will never be released from service as woodcutters and water-carriers for the house of my God.’