Thomson(i)
15 And Joshua made peace with them, and they entered into a covenant with them to save their lives; and the chiefs of the congregation sword to them.
16 But three days after they had entered into covenant with them, they heard that they were in the neighbourhood, and dwelt close by them.
17 Whereupon the children of Israel removed, and came to their cities. Now their cities were Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarim;
18 But the children of Israel did not make war on them, because all the chiefs had sworn to them by the Lord the God of Israel.
19 When all the congregation murmured at the chiefs, the chiefs said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the Lord the God of Israel; now therefore we cannot touch them.
20 This we will do. We will let them live and protect them; that there may be no wrath against us because of the oath which we have sworn to them.
21 They shall live; but they shall be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the chiefs have said to them.
22 For Joshua had called them, and said to them, Why did you impose upon me saying, We are far distant from thee, seeing you are our nearest neighbour?
23 Now therefore you are cursed, and not one of you shall escape servitude; from being a hewer of wood, and a drawer of water, for me and my God.
24 And they answered Joshua saying, We were told all that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses, to give yon this land, and to extirpate us, and all the inhabitants thereof from before you, therefore we were in great terror for our lives because of you, and we did this.
25 And now behold we are in your power, deal with us as you please, and as it seemeth good to you.
26 So they dealt with them in this manner, and Joshua saved them that day out of the hand of the Israelites, and they did not destroy them.
27 And on that day Joshua made them hewers of wood, and drawers of water, for the whole congregation, and for the altar of God. For this cause the inhabitants of Gabaon are hewers of wood, and drawers of water, for the altar of God, even at this day, and are to be so for the place which the Lord will chuse.