| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 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)-- | 1Now when news of this reached all the kings west of the Jordan—those in the hill country, the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon (the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)— |
| 2they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel. | 2they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel. |
| 3However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, | 3But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, |
| 4they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. | 4acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. |
| 5They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. | 5They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy. |
| 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." | 6They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us.” |
| 7The Israelites said to the Hivites, "But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?" | 7But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?” |
| 8"We are your servants," they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?" | 8“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?” |
| 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, | 9“Your servants have come from a very distant land,” they replied, “because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt, |
| 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. | 10and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. |
| 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."' | 11So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.’ |
| 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. | 12This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But take a look, it is now dry and moldy. |
| 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." | 13These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.” |
| 14The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. | 14Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD. |
| 15Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. | 15And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. |
| 16Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. | 16Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. |
| 17So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. | 17So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. |
| 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, | 18But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. |
| 19but all the leaders answered, "We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. | 19All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them. |
| 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." | 20This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.” |
| 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. | 21They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise. |
| 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? | 22Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us? |
| 23You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God." | 23Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” |
| 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. | 24The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this. |
| 25We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you." | 25Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.” |
| 26So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. | 26So Joshua did this and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill the Gibeonites. |
| 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. | 27On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose. |
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