19. And they responded to them: "We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, and for that reason, we are not able to touch them.
20. But we shall do this to them: Certainly, let them be preserved so that they may live, lest the wrath of the Lord be stirred up against us, since we would have sworn falsely.
21. But though they live, let them serve the entire multitude by cutting wood and carrying water." And while they were discussing these things,
22. Joshua called the Gibeonites, and he said to them: "Why would you be willing to deceive us by fraud, saying, 'We live very far away from you,' when you are in our midst?
23. Therefore, you shall be under a curse, and your stock shall not cease to be cutters of wood and carriers of water, into the house of my God."
24. And they responded: "It was reported to us, your servants, that the Lord your God had promised his servant Moses that he would give you the entire land, and that he would destroy all its inhabitants. Therefore, we were very afraid, and we made a provision for our lives, compelled by the dread of you, and we undertook this counsel.
25. And now we are in your hand. Act toward us as it seems good and right to you."
26. Therefore, Joshua did just as he had said, and he freed them from the hand of the sons of Israel, so that they would not be killed.
27. And he decreed on that day, that they would be in the ministry of all the people and of the altar of the Lord, cutting wood and carrying water, even until this present time, in the place which the Lord had chosen.