Joshua 9:16-27

16However, it came about at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living 1within their land. 17Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were 2Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18But the sons of Israel did not 3attack them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. 19But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them. 20This we will do to them, even let them live, so that wrath will not be on us because of the oath which we swore to them.” 21So the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” And they became 4gatherers of firewood and 5labor to draw water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.

22Then Joshua called for them and spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ 6when you are living 7within our land? 23Now therefore, you are 8cursed, and 9you will never cease to be slaves, both gatherers of firewood and 10labor to draw water for the house of my God.” 24So they answered Joshua and said, “11Since your servants were fully informed that the Lord your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you, we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and did this thing. 25And now behold, 12we are in your hands; do to us as it seems good and right in your sight to do.” 26This he did to them, and saved them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them. 27But on that day Joshua made them gatherers of firewood and 13labor to draw water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, 14in the place which He would choose.