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)—
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，
2 they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
就都聚集，同心合意地要與約書亞和以色列人爭戰。
3 But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
基遍的居民聽見約書亞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，
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.
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。
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。」
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？」
8 “We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”
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？」
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，
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.
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。
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。』
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。
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.”
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。」
14 Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.
以色列人受了他們些食物，並沒有求問耶和華。
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.
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。
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。
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，第三天到了他們的城邑，就是基遍、基非拉、比錄、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。
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.
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。
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。」
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。
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?
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。
23 Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
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。」
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。
25 Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”
現在我們在你手中，你以怎樣待我們為善為正，就怎樣做吧！」
26 So Joshua did this and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill the Gibeonites.
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。
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.
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。
