< Joshua 9 >
1 Then all the kings who lived beyond the Jordan in the hill country, and in the lowlands along the shore of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and the Jebusites—
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)—
2 these joined together under one command, to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
3 When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 they acted with a cunning plan. They went as messengers. They took worn-out sacks and put them on their donkeys. They also took old wineskins that were worn, torn, and had been repaired.
acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
5 They put old and patched sandals on their feet, and dressed in old, worn-out clothing. All the bread in their food supply was dry and moldy.
They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy.
6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have traveled from a very far country, so now make a covenant with us.”
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.”
7 The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us. How can we make a covenant with you?”
But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?”
8 They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Joshua said to them, “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”
9 They said to him, “Your servants have come here from a land very far away, because of the name of Yahweh your God. We have heard a report about him and about everything that he did in Egypt—
“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,
10 and everything that he did to the two kings of the Amorites on the other side of the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan who was at Ashtaroth.
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.
11 Our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey. Go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Make a treaty with us.”
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.’
12 This is our bread, it was still warm when we took it from our houses on the day we set out to come to you. But now, see, it is dry and moldy.
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.
13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, and look, now they are leaking. Our garments and our sandals are worn-out from a very long journey.'”
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.”
14 So the Israelites took some of their provisions, but they did not consult with Yahweh for guidance.
Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.
15 Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The leaders of the people also made a vow to them.
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
16 Three days after the Israelites made this covenant with them, they learned that they were their neighbors and that they lived nearby.
Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them.
17 Then the people of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.
18 The people of Israel did not attack them because their leaders had taken an oath about them before Yahweh, the God of Israel. All the Israelites were grumbling against their leaders.
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.
19 But all the leaders said to all the people, “We have taken an oath concerning them by Yahweh, the God of Israel, and now we cannot harm them.
All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
20 This is what we will do to them: To avoid any wrath that may come on us because of the oath we swore to them, we will let them live.”
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.”
21 The leaders said to their people, “Let them live.” So, the Gibeonites became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the Israelites, just as the leaders said about them.
They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise.
22 Joshua called for them and said, “Why did you deceive us when you said, 'We are very far from you', when you live right here among us?
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?
23 Now, because of this, you are cursed and some of you will always be slaves, those who cut wood and draw water for the house of my God.”
Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
24 They answered Joshua and said, “Because it was told to your servants that Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you—so we were very afraid for our lives because of you. That is why we did this thing.
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.
25 Now, look, you hold us in your power. Whatever seems good and right for you to do to us, do it.”
Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”
26 So Joshua did this for them: He delivered them out of the control of the people of Israel, so that the Israelites did not kill them.
So Joshua did this and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill the Gibeonites.
27 That day Joshua made the Gibeonites cutters of wood and drawers of water for the community, and for the altar of Yahweh, to this day, in the place that Yahweh chooses.
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.