Study Desk

So the leaders said to them, "Let them live." And they became ^(C1)gatherers of firewood and ^(F1)labor to draw water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.

Then Joshua called for them and spoke to them, saying, "Why have you deceived us, saying, 'We are very far from you,' ^(C1)when you are living ^(F1)within our land?

"Now therefore, you are ^(C1)cursed, and ^(F1)you will never cease to be slaves, both gatherers of firewood and ^(F2)labor to draw water for the house of my God."

So they answered Joshua and said, "^(C1)Since your servants were fully informed that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you, we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and did this thing.

"And now behold, ^(C1)we are in your hands; do to us as it seems good and right in your sight to do."

This he did to them, and saved them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them.

But on that day Joshua made them gatherers of firewood and ^(F1)labor to draw water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, to this day, ^(C1)in the place which He would choose.