Iosue 9
1 Quibus auditis, cuncti reges trans Iordanem, qui versabantur in montanis et campestribus, in maritimis ac littore magni maris, hi quoque qui habitabant iuxta Libanum, Hethaeus et Amorrhaeus, Chananaeus, Pherezaeus, et Hevaeus, et Iebusaeus
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—
2 congregati sunt pariter, ut pugnarent contra Iosue et Israel uno animo, eademque sententia.
these joined together under one command, to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
3 At hi, qui habitabant in Gabaon, audientes cuncta quae fecerat Iosue, Iericho et Hai:
When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
4 callide cogitantes tulerunt sibi cibaria, saccos veteres asinis imponentes, et utres vinarios scissos atque consutos,
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.
5 calceamentaque perantiqua quae ad indicium vetustatis pittaciis consuta erant, induti veteribus vestimentis: panes quoque, quos portabant ob viaticum, duri erant, et in frustra comminuti:
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.
6 perrexeruntque ad Iosue, qui tunc morabatur in castris Galgalae, et dixerunt ei, atque simul omni Israeli: De terra longinqua venimus, pacem vobiscum facere cupientes. Responderuntque viri Israel ad eos, atque dixerunt:
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.”
7 Ne forte in terra, quae nobis sorte debetur, habitetis, et non possimus foedus inire vobiscum.
The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us. How can we make a covenant with you?”
8 At illi ad Iosue, Servi, inquiunt, tui sumus. Quibus Iosue ait: Qui nam estis vos? aut unde venistis?
They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Joshua said to them, “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
9 Responderunt: De terra longinqua valde venerunt servi tui in nomine Domini Dei tui. Audivimus enim famam potentiae eius, cuncta quae fecit in Aegypto,
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—
10 et duobus regibus Amorrhaeorum qui fuerunt trans Iordanem, Sehon regi Hesebon, et Og regi Basan, qui erant in Astaroth:
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.
11 dixeruntque nobis seniores, et omnes habitatores Terrae nostrae: Tollite in manibus cibaria ob longissimam viam, et occurrite eis, et dicite: Servi vestri sumus, foedus inite nobiscum.
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.”
12 En, panes quando egressi sumus de domibus nostris, ut veniremus ad vos, calidos sumpsimus, nunc sicci facti sunt, et vetustate nimia comminuti.
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.
13 utres vini novos implevimus, nunc rupti sunt et soluti. vestes et calceamenta quibus induimur, et quae habemus in pedibus, ob longitudinem longioris viae trita sunt, et pene consumpta.
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.'”
14 Susceperunt igitur de cibariis eorum, et os Domini non interrogaverunt.
So the Israelites took some of their provisions, but they did not consult with Yahweh for guidance.
15 Fecitque Iosue cum eis pacem, et inito foedere pollicitus est quod non occiderentur: principes quoque multitudinis iuraverunt eis.
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.
16 Post dies autem tres initi foederis, audierunt quod in vicino habitarent, et inter eos futuri essent.
Three days after the Israelites made this covenant with them, they learned that they were their neighbors and that they lived nearby.
17 Moveruntque castra filii Israel, et venerunt in civitates eorum die tertio, quarum haec vocabula sunt, Gabaon, et Caphira, et Beroth, et Cariathiarim.
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.
18 Et non percusserunt eos, eo quod iurassent eis principes multitudinis in nomine Domini Dei Israel. Murmuravit itaque omne vulgus contra principes.
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.
19 Qui responderunt eis: Iuravimus illis in nomine Domini Dei Israel, et idcirco non possumus eos contingere.
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.
20 Sed hoc faciemus eis: Reserventur quidem ut vivant, ne contra nos ira Domini concitetur, si peieraverimus:
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.”
21 sed sic vivant, ut in usus universae multitudinis ligna caedant, aquasque comportent. Quibus haec loquentibus:
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.
22 vocavit Gabaonitas Iosue, et dixit eis: Cur nos decipere fraude voluistis, ut diceretis: Procul valde habitamus a vobis, cum in medio nostri sitis?
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?
23 Itaque sub maledictione eritis, et non deficiet de stirpe vestra ligna caedens, aquasque comportans in domum Dei mei.
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.”
24 Qui responderunt: Nunciatum est nobis servis tuis, quod promisisset Dominus Deus tuus Moysi servo suo ut traderet vobis omnem Terram, et disperderet cunctos habitatores eius. Timuimus igitur valde, et providimus animabus nostris, vestro terrore compulsi, et hoc consilium inivimus.
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.
25 Nunc autem in manu tua sumus: quod tibi bonum et rectum videtur, fac nobis.
Now, look, you hold us in your power. Whatever seems good and right for you to do to us, do it.”
26 Fecit ergo Iosue ut dixerat, et liberavit eos de manu filiorum Israel, ut non occiderentur.
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.
27 Decrevitque in illo die eos esse in ministerio cuncti populi, et altaris Domini, caedentes ligna, et aquas comportantes, usque in praesens tempus, in loco, quem Dominus elegisset.
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.
