9
So they said to him: "From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God; for we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt,
10
and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan--to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.
11
Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, 'Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, "We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us." '
12
This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy.
13
And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey."
14
Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.
15
So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.
16
And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them.
17
Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim.
18
But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.
19
Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them.