16. And it came to be at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours who dwelt near them.
17. And the children of Yisra’ĕl set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Giḇ‛on, and Kephirah, and Be’ĕroth, and Qiryath Ye‛arim.
18. But the children of Yisra’ĕl did not smite them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ĕl. And all the congregation grumbled against the rulers.
19. But all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, and we are unable to touch them now.
20. “Let us do this to them: We shall keep them alive, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.”
21. And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.”
22. Then Yehoshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ yet you are dwelling in our midst?
23. “And now you are cursed, and you shall not cease from being slaves, and woodcutters and drawers of water for the House of my Elohim.”
24. And they answered Yehoshua and said, “Your servants were clearly told that יהוה your Elohim commanded His servant Mosheh to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. So we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this deed.
25. “And now, see, we are in your hands. Do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.”