Study Desk

Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for prey to themselves, according to the word of Yahweh which he commanded Joshua.

And they said to him, From a very far country your slaves have come because of the name of Yahweh your God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,

And our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take provision in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, We are your slaves: and now make a covenant with us.

This bread of ours we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go to you; but now, look, it is dry, and has become mouldy:

for the sons of Israel journeyed, and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

And the princes said to them, Let them live and become cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation. So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.

And Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, Why have you beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when you dwell among us?

Now therefore you are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you slaves, both cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told your slaves, how that Yahweh your God commanded his slave Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

And Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of Yahweh, to this day, in the place which he should choose.

Come up to me, and help me, and let us smite Gibeon; for it has made peace with Joshua and with the sons of Israel.

And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Do not slack your hand from your slaves; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill-country are gathered together against us.

And Yahweh said to Joshua, Don't fear them: for I have delivered them into your hands; not a man of them shall stand before you.

Joshua therefore came on them suddenly; [for] he went up from Gilgal all the night.

And there was no day like that before it or after it, that Yahweh listened to the voice of a man: for Yahweh fought for Israel.

but don't you stay; pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; don't allow them to enter into their cities: for Yahweh your God has delivered them into your hand.

And it came to pass, when they brought forth those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war that went with him, Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet on the necks of them.

And Joshua said to them, Don't be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage: for thus shall Yahweh do to all your enemies against whom you fight.

And all these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.

And Yahweh said to Joshua, Don't be afraid because of them; for tomorrow at this time I will deliver them up all slain before Israel: you shall hock their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.