| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things--the kings in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far as Lebanon (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites)-- |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, "We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us." |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7The Israelites said to the Hivites, "But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?" |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8"We are your servants," they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?" |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan--Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; make a treaty with us."' |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey." |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19but all the leaders answered, "We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God's wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them." |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly." So the leaders' promise to them was kept. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, "Why did you deceive us by saying, 'We live a long way from you,' while actually you live near us? |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God." |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24They answered Joshua, "Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you." |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the LORD at the place the LORD would choose. And that is what they are to this day. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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