²³ You are now under a curse:^(A) You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

²¹ They continued, “Let them live,^(A) but let them be woodcutters and water carriers^(B) in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

²⁷ That day he made the Gibeonites^(A) woodcutters and water carriers^(B) for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose.^(C) And that is what they are to this day.

²⁸ “‘But nothing that a person owns and devotes^[a](A) to the Lord—whether a human being or an animal or family land—may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy^(B) to the Lord.

²⁹ “‘No person devoted to destruction^[b] may be ransomed; they are to be put to death.^(C)

²⁵ he said,

²⁶ He also said,