22. Joshua sent for the people of Gibeon and asked, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live very far away from you,’ when you live here with us?
23. You are under a curse now. You will always be servants. You will be woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
24. They answered Joshua, “We were told that the Lord your God commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and destroy all who live there. We deceived you because we feared for our lives.
25. Now we’re at your mercy. Do to us what you think is good and right.”
26. So Joshua rescued them and did not let the people of Israel kill them.
27. But that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation. They served the Lord’s altar, wherever he chose to put it. They still serve today.