15. So Joshua agreed to make peace with the Gibeonites and to let them live. And the leaders of the Israelites swore an oath to keep the agreement.
16. Three days after they had made the agreement, the Israelites learned that the Gibeonites lived nearby.
17. So the Israelites went to where they lived and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
18. But the Israelites did not attack those cities, because they had made a promise to them before the Lord, the God of Israel.All the Israelites grumbled against the leaders.
19. But the leaders answered, “We have given our promise before the Lord, the God of Israel, so we cannot attack them now.
20. This is what we must do. We must let them live. Otherwise, God’s anger will be against us for breaking the oath we swore to them.
21. So let them live, but they will cut wood and carry water for our people.” So the leaders kept their promise to them.
22. Joshua called for the Gibeonites and asked, “Why did you lie to us? Your land was near our camp, but you told us you were from a far country.
23. Now, you will be placed under a curse to be our slaves. You will have to cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.”