^{15 Ref} So Joshua made peace with them, and made an agreement with them that they were not to be put to death: and the chiefs of the people took an oath to them.

^{16 Ref} Now three days after, when they had made this agreement with them, they had word that these men were their neighbours, living near them.

^{17 Ref} And the children of Israel went forward on their journey, and on the third day came to their towns. Now their towns were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim.

^{18 Ref} And the children of Israel did not put them to death, because the chiefs of the people had taken an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. And all the people made an outcry against the chiefs.

^{19 Ref} But all the chiefs said to the people, We have taken an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and so we may not put our hands on them.

^{20 Ref} This is what we will do to them: we will not put them to death, for fear that wrath may come on us because of our oath to them.

^{21 Ref} Keep them living, and let them be servants, cutting wood and getting water for all the people. And all the people did as the chiefs had said to them.

^{22 Ref} Then Joshua sent for them, and said to them, Why have you been false to us, saying, We are very far from you, when you are living among us?

^{23 Ref} Now because of this you are cursed, and you will for ever be our servants, cutting wood and getting water for the house of my God.

^{24 Ref} And, answering Joshua, they said, Because it came to the ears of your servants that the Lord your God had given orders to his servant Moses to give you all this land, and to send destruction on all the people living in it, because of you; so, fearing greatly for our lives because of you, we have done this.

^{25 Ref} And now we are in your hands: do to us whatever seems good and right to you.

²⁶ So he kept them safe from the children of Israel, and did not let them be put to death.

^{27 Ref} And that day Joshua made them servants, cutting wood and getting water for the people and for the altar of the Lord, in the place marked out by him, to this day.