13. Here are our wineskins, which were new when we filled them, but now they are torn. Look at our garments and sandals; they are worn out from the very long journey.”
14. Then the Israelite leaders partook of their provisions, without inquiring of the Lord.
15. So Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant to let them live, which the leaders of the community sealed with an oath.
16. Three days after the covenant was made, the Israelites heard that these people were from nearby, and would be living in Israel.
17. The third day on the road, the Israelites came to their cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim,
18. but did not attack them, because the leaders of the community had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. When the entire community grumbled against the leaders,
19. these all remonstrated with the community, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and so we cannot harm them.
20. Let us therefore let them live, and so deal with them that no wrath fall upon us because of the oath we have sworn to them.”