15 So Joshua omade peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.

16 And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them. 17 Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were pGibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim. 18 But the children of Israel did not 6attack them, qbecause the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.

19 Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest rwrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.” 21 And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be swoodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had tpromised them.”