Joshua 9:11-21

11So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us saying, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey, go to meet them and say to them: “We will be your subjects, so now make a treaty-covenant with us.’”

12This is our bread, which was hot when we took it for our provision from our homes on the day we left to come to you, but now behold, it is dry and crumbly.

13And these wineskins, which we were new when we filled them, but now see, they are cracked. Also these our garments and our sandals are worn-out because of the very long journey.”

14So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not seek counsel from Adonai’s mouth.

15So Joshua made peace with them and cut a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the community swore to them.

16But it came about at the end of three days after they had cut a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and were living among them.

17So Bnei-Yisrael journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

18But Bnei-Yisrael did not strike them, because the leaders of the community had sworn to them by Adonai, God of Israel. Then the entire community murmured against the leaders,

19but all the leaders answered the entire community, “We have sworn to them by Adonai, God of Israel, so now we cannot touch them.

20This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.”

21“Yes, let them live,” the leaders said further, “but let them chop wood and draw water for the entire community.” So the leaders decreed concerning them.