18. And they slew them not, because the princes of the multitude had sworn in the name of the Lord the God of Israel. Then all the common people murmured against the princes.
19. And they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.
20. But this we mill do to them: Let their lives be saved, lest the wrath of the Lord be stirred up against us, if we should be forsworn.
21. But so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things,
22. Josue called the Gabaonites and said to them: Why would you impose upon us, saying: We dwell far off from you, whereas you are in the midst of us?
23. Therefore you shall be under a curse, and your race shall always be hewers of wood, and carriers of water unto the house of my God.
24. They answered: It was told us thy servants, that the Lord thy God had promised his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants thereof. Therefore we feared exceedingly and provided for our lives, compelled by the dread we had of you and we took this counsel.
25. And now we are in thy hand: deal with us as it seemeth good and right unto thee.
26. So Josue did as he had said, and delivered them from the hand of the children of Israel, that they should not be slain.
27. And he gave orders in that day that they should be in the service of all the people, and of the altar of the Lord, hewing wood and carrying water, until this present time, in the place which the Lord hath chosen.