Joshua 9:21–27

²¹They continued, “Let them live,ⁱ but let them be woodcutters and water carriers^j in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

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

²⁴They 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. ²⁵We are now in your hands.^o Do to us whatever seems good and right^p to you.”

²⁶So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. ²⁷That day he made the Gibeonites^q woodcutters and water carriers^r 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.