約書亞記 9
1 約旦河西，住山地、高原，並對着黎巴嫩山沿大海一帶的諸王，就是赫人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人的諸王，聽見這事，
Now When these things were heard of, all the kings beyond the Jordan, that dwelt in the mountains and in the plains, in the places near the sea, and on the coasts of the great sea, they also that dwell by Libanus, the Hethite and the Amorrhite, the Chanaanite, the Pherezite, and the Hevite, and the Jebusite,
2 就都聚集，同心合意地要與約書亞和以色列人爭戰。
Gathered themselves together, to fight against Josue and Israel with one mind, and one resolution.
3 基遍的居民聽見約書亞向耶利哥和艾城所行的事，
But they that dwelt in Gabaon, hearing all that Josue had done to Jericho and Hai:
4 就設詭計，假充使者，拿舊口袋和破裂縫補的舊皮酒袋馱在驢上，
Cunningly devising took for themselves provisions, laying old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles rent and sewed up again,
5 將補過的舊鞋穿在腳上，把舊衣服穿在身上；他們所帶的餅都是乾的，長了霉了。
And very old shoes, which for a show of age were clouted with patches, and old garments upon them: the leaves also, which they carried for provisions by the way, were hard, and broken into pieces:
6 他們到吉甲營中見約書亞，對他和以色列人說：「我們是從遠方來的，現在求你與我們立約。」
And they went to Josue, who then abode in the camp at Galgal, and said to him, and to all Israel with him: We are come from a far country, desiring to make peace with you. And the children of Israel answered them, and said:
7 以色列人對這些希未人說：「只怕你們是住在我們中間的；若是這樣，怎能和你們立約呢？」
Perhaps you dwell in the land which falls to our lot; if so, we can make no league with you.
8 他們對約書亞說：「我們是你的僕人。」約書亞問他們說：「你們是甚麼人？是從哪裏來的？」
But they said to Josue: We are thy servants. Josue said to them: Who are you? and whence came you?
9 他們回答說：「僕人從極遠之地而來，是因聽見耶和華－你上帝的名聲和他在埃及所行的一切事，
They answered: From a very far country thy servants are come in the name of the Lord thy God. For we have heard the fame of his power, all the things that he did in Egypt.
10 並他向約旦河東的兩個亞摩利王，就是希實本王西宏和在亞斯他錄的巴珊王噩一切所行的事。
And to the two kings of the Amorrhites that were beyond the Jordan, Sehon king of Hesebon, and Og king of Basan, that was in Astaroth:
11 我們的長老和我們那地的一切居民對我們說：『你們手裏要帶着路上用的食物去迎接以色列人，對他們說：我們是你們的僕人；現在求你們與我們立約。』
And our ancients, and all the inhabitants of our country said to us: Take with you victuals for a long way, and go meet them, and say: We are your servants, make ye a league with us.
12 我們出來要往你們這裏來的日子，從家裏帶出來的這餅還是熱的；看哪，現在都乾了，長了霉了。
Behold, these leaves we took hot, when we set out from our houses to come to you, now they are become dry, and broken in pieces, by being exceeding old.
13 這皮酒袋，我們盛酒的時候還是新的；看哪，現在已經破裂。我們這衣服和鞋，因為道路甚遠，也都穿舊了。」
These bottles of wine when we filled them were new, now they are rent and burst. These garments we have on, and the shoes we have on our feet, by reason of the very long journey are worn out, and almost consumed.
14 以色列人受了他們些食物，並沒有求問耶和華。
They took therefore of their victuals, and consulted not the mouth of the Lord.
15 於是約書亞與他們講和，與他們立約，容他們活着；會眾的首領也向他們起誓。
And Josue made peace with them, and entering into a league promised that they should not be slain: the princes also of the multitude swore to them.
16 以色列人與他們立約之後，過了三天才聽見他們是近鄰，住在以色列人中間的。
Now three days after the league was made, they heard that they dwelt nigh, and they should be among them.
17 以色列人起行，第三天到了他們的城邑，就是基遍、基非拉、比錄、基列‧耶琳。
And the children of Israel removed the camp, and came into their cities on the third day, the names of which are Gabaon, and Caphira, and Beroth, and Cariathiarim.
18 因為會眾的首領已經指着耶和華－以色列的上帝向他們起誓，所以以色列人不擊殺他們；全會眾就向首領發怨言。
And they slew them not, because the princes of the multitude had sworn in the name of the Lord the God of Israel. Then all the common people murmured against the princes.
19 眾首領對全會眾說：「我們已經指着耶和華－以色列的上帝向他們起誓，現在我們不能害他們。
And they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.
20 我們要如此待他們，容他們活着，免得有忿怒因我們所起的誓臨到我們身上。」
But this we mill do to them: Let their lives be saved, lest the wrath of the Lord be stirred up against us, if we should be forsworn.
21 首領又對會眾說：「要容他們活着。」於是他們為全會眾作了劈柴挑水的人，正如首領對他們所說的話。
But so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things,
22 約書亞召了他們來，對他們說：「為甚麼欺哄我們說『我們離你們甚遠』呢？其實你們是住在我們中間。
Josue called the Gabaonites and said to them: Why would you impose upon us, saying: We dwell far off from you, whereas you are in the midst of us?
23 現在你們是被咒詛的！你們中間的人必斷不了作奴僕，為我上帝的殿作劈柴挑水的人。」
Therefore you shall be under a curse, and your race shall always be hewers of wood, and carriers of water unto the house of my God.
24 他們回答約書亞說：「因為有人實在告訴你的僕人，耶和華－你的上帝曾吩咐他的僕人摩西，把這全地賜給你們，並在你們面前滅絕這地的一切居民，所以我們為你們的緣故甚怕喪命，就行了這事。
They answered: It was told us thy servants, that the Lord thy God had promised his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants thereof. Therefore we feared exceedingly and provided for our lives. compelled by the dread we had of you and we took this counsel.
25 現在我們在你手中，你以怎樣待我們為善為正，就怎樣做吧！」
And now we are in thy hand: deal with us as it seemeth good and right unto thee.
26 於是約書亞這樣待他們，救他們脫離以色列人的手，以色列人就沒有殺他們。
So Josue did as he had said, and delivered them from the hand of the children of Israel, that they should not be slain.
27 當日約書亞使他們在耶和華所要選擇的地方，為會眾和耶和華的壇作劈柴挑水的人，直到今日。
And he gave orders in that day that they should be in the service of all the people, and of the altar of the Lord, hewing wood and carrying water, until this present time, in the place which the Lord hath chosen.
