Joshua 9
1 Now when news of this reached all the kings west of the Jordan—those in the hill country, the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon (the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)—
约旦河西，住山地、高原，并对着黎巴嫩山沿大海一带的诸王，就是赫人、亚摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人的诸王，听见这事，
2 they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
就都聚集，同心合意地要与约书亚和以色列人争战。
3 But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
基遍的居民听见约书亚向耶利哥和艾城所行的事，
4 acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
就设诡计，假充使者，拿旧口袋和破裂缝补的旧皮酒袋驮在驴上，
5 They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.
将补过的旧鞋穿在脚上，把旧衣服穿在身上；他们所带的饼都是干的，长了霉了。
6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us.”
他们到吉甲营中见约书亚，对他和以色列人说：“我们是从远方来的，现在求你与我们立约。”
7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?”
以色列人对这些希未人说：“只怕你们是住在我们中间的；若是这样，怎能和你们立约呢？”
8 “We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”
他们对约书亚说：“我们是你的仆人。”约书亚问他们说：“你们是什么人？是从哪里来的？”
9 “Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt,
他们回答说：“仆人从极远之地而来，是因听见耶和华—你 神的名声和他在埃及所行的一切事，
10 and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.
并他向约旦河东的两个亚摩利王，就是希实本王西宏和在亚斯他录的巴珊王噩一切所行的事。
11 So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.’
我们的长老和我们那地的一切居民对我们说：‘你们手里要带着路上用的食物去迎接以色列人，对他们说：我们是你们的仆人；现在求你们与我们立约。’
12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But take a look, it is now dry and moldy.
我们出来要往你们这里来的日子，从家里带出来的这饼还是热的；看哪，现在都干了，长了霉了。
13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”
这皮酒袋，我们盛酒的时候还是新的；看哪，现在已经破裂。我们这衣服和鞋，因为道路甚远，也都穿旧了。”
14 Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.
以色列人受了他们些食物，并没有求问耶和华。
15 And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
于是约书亚与他们讲和，与他们立约，容他们活着；会众的首领也向他们起誓。
16 Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them.
以色列人与他们立约之后，过了三天才听见他们是近邻，住在以色列人中间的。
17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.
以色列人起行，第三天到了他们的城邑，就是基遍、基非拉、比录、基列·耶琳。
18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.
因为会众的首领已经指着耶和华—以色列的 神向他们起誓，所以以色列人不击杀他们；全会众就向首领发怨言。
19 All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
众首领对全会众说：“我们已经指着耶和华—以色列的 神向他们起誓，现在我们不能害他们。
20 This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”
我们要如此待他们，容他们活着，免得有忿怒因我们所起的誓临到我们身上。”
21 They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise.
首领又对会众说：“要容他们活着。”于是他们为全会众作了劈柴挑水的人，正如首领对他们所说的话。
22 Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us?
约书亚召了他们来，对他们说：“为什么欺哄我们说‘我们离你们甚远’呢？其实你们是住在我们中间。
23 Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
现在你们是被咒诅的！你们中间的人必断不了作奴仆，为我 神的殿作劈柴挑水的人。”
24 The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this.
他们回答约书亚说：“因为有人实在告诉你的仆人，耶和华—你的 神曾吩咐他的仆人摩西，把这全地赐给你们，并在你们面前灭绝这地的一切居民，所以我们为你们的缘故甚怕丧命，就行了这事。
25 Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”
现在我们在你手中，你以怎样待我们为善为正，就怎样做吧！”
26 So Joshua did this and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill the Gibeonites.
于是约书亚这样待他们，救他们脱离以色列人的手，以色列人就没有杀他们。
27 On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.
当日约书亚使他们在耶和华所要选择的地方，为会众和耶和华的坛作劈柴挑水的人，直到今日。
