Joshua 9:16-27 - Gibeon's Deception Discovered
16 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 The children of Israel journeyed to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. 18 The children of Israel did not kill them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by Jehovah God of Israel. The entire congregation murmured against the princes.
19 But all the leaders said to the entire 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 in case we become angry. This is because of the oath we swore to them. 21 The leaders said to them: Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water to the entire congregation as the leaders had promised them.
22 Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying: Why did you deceive us, saying: 'We are very far from you' when you dwell among us? 23 Now you are cursed, and none of you will be freed from being slaves, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
24 They answered Joshua: For the reason that it was absolutely told to your servants, how Jehovah your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and destroy all the inhabitants of the land. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you. So we did this thing. 25 Now we are in your hands. Do to us what seems good and right to you. 26 Joshua saved them from the children of Israel. They did not kill them. 27 Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Jehovah, even to this day, in the place he should choose.