MKJV(i)
15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a treaty with them, to let them live. And the rulers of the congregation swore to them.
16 And it happened at the end of three days after they had made a treaty with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them.
17 And the sons of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.
18 And the sons of Israel did not strike them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by Jehovah, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the rulers.
19 But all the rulers said to the congregation, We have sworn to them by Jehovah, the God of Israel. Now, therefore, we may not touch them.
20 This we will do to them. We will even let them live, lest wrath be on us because of the oath which we swore to them.
21 And the rulers said to them, Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.
22 And Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, Why have you fooled us saying, We are very far from you, when you dwell among us?
23 And now you are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being slaves and woodcutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.
24 And they answered Joshua and said, Because it was certainly told your servants how Jehovah your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all those who lived in the land from before you; therefore, we were very much afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
25 And now, behold, we are in your hand. As it seems good and right to you to do to us, do it.
26 And so he did to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the sons of Israel, so that they did not kill them.
27 And Joshua made them that day woodcutters and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, even to this day, in the place which He should choose.