But they saidto Joshua,"We are your servants."Then Joshuasaidto them, "Whoare you and wheredo you comefrom?"
And the one who[was] overthe household,and he who[was] overthe city,the elders,and the guardiansof [the children], sent[word] to Jehu,saying,"We are your servants,allthat you sayto us we will do,we will not makeanymanking;dowhatis goodin your sight."
"Ifit agreesto makepeacewith you and opensto you, then allthe peoplewho are foundin it shall becomeyour forcedlaborand shall serveyou.
Then the menof Gibeonsent[word] to Joshuato the campat Gilgal,saying,"Do not abandonyour servants;comeup to us quicklyand saveus and helpus, for allthe kingsof the Amoritesthat livein the hillcountryhave assembledagainstus."
"So our eldersand allthe inhabitantsof our countryspoketo us, saying,'Takeprovisionsin your handfor the journey,and goto meetthem and sayto them, "We are your servants;nowthen, makea covenantwith us."'
"Nowtherefore, you are cursed,and you shall neverceasebeing slaves,both hewersof woodand drawersof waterfor the houseof my God."
"Nowbehold,we are in your hands;doas it seems goodand rightin your sightto doto us."
But Joshuamadethem that dayhewersof woodand drawersof waterfor the congregationand for the altarof the LORD,to thisday,in the placewhichHe would choose.
