Joshua 9:22-24

New International Reader's Version

²² Joshua sent for the people of Gibeon. He said to them, “Why did you trick us? You said, ‘We live far away from you.’ But in fact you live close to us. ²³ So now you are under a curse. You will always serve us. You will always cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ They answered Joshua, “We were clearly told what the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to do. He commanded him to give you the whole land. He also ordered him to wipe out all its people to make room for you. So we were afraid you would kill us. That’s why we tricked you.