16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living nearc them. 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beerothd and Kiriath Jearim.e 18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oathf to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.

The whole assembly grumbledg against the leaders, 19 but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 20 This 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 oathh we swore to them.” 21 They continued, “Let them live,i but let them be woodcutters and water carriersj in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

22 Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long wayk from you,’ while actually you live nearl us? 23 You are now under a curse:m You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

24 They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly toldn 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 We are now in your hands.o Do to us whatever seems good and rightp to you.”

26 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 27 That day he made the Gibeonitesq woodcutters and water carriersr for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose.s And that is what they are to this day.