Catholic Public Domain Version
"But though they live, let them serve the entire multitude by cutting wood and carrying water.” And while they were discussing these things, "
— Joshua 9:21, Catholic Public Domain Version
“And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.”
“And the princes said unto them, Let them live: so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken unto them. ”
“The princes said to them, "Let them live, so they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them."”
“The leaders then added,“Let them live.” So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had decided.”
“But so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things,”
“Keep them living, and let them be servants, cutting wood and getting water for all the people. And all the people did as the chiefs had said to them.”
“And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.”
And they did not strike them, because the leaders of the multitude had sworn to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. And so all of the common people murmured against the leaders.
And they responded to them: “We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, and for that reason, we are not able to touch them.
But we shall do this to them: Certainly, let them be preserved so that they may live, lest the wrath of the Lord be stirred up against us, since we would have sworn falsely.
But though they live, let them serve the entire multitude by cutting wood and carrying water.” And while they were discussing these things,
Joshua called the Gibeonites, and he said to them: “Why would you be willing to deceive us by fraud, saying, ‘We live very far away from you,’ when you are in our midst?
Therefore, you shall be under a curse, and your stock shall not cease to be cutters of wood and carriers of water, into the house of my God.”
And they responded: “It was reported to us, your servants, that the Lord your God had promised his servant Moses that he would give you the entire land, and that he would destroy all its inhabitants. Therefore, we were very afraid, and we made a provision for our lives, compelled by the dread of you, and we undertook this counsel.