Joshua 9:3-18

3But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,

4they acted craftily. They went and traveled as ambassadors, took worn-out sacks for their donkeys and worn-out wine skins, cracked and patched up,

5along with worn-out, patched up sandals on their feet and worn-out clothes on them. All the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbly.

6Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country. So now, make a treaty-covenant with us.”

7Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites: “Perhaps you are living among us. How then should we make a covenant with you?”

8But they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you? Where do you come from?”

9So they replied to him: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the Name of Adonai your God. For we have heard the report of Him and all that He did in Egypt,

10and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan—to King Sihon of Heshbon and to King Og of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

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,