Joshua 9:22-24

Expanded Bible

²² Joshua called for the Gibeonites and asked, “Why did you ·lie to [deceive; trick] us? ·Your land was near our camp [^LYou live among us], but you told us you were from a far country. ²³ Now, you will be placed under a curse to ·be our slaves [never cease being slaves/servants]. You will have to cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.”

²⁴ The Gibeonites answered Joshua, “We lied to you because we were afraid you would kill us. ·We heard [^LIt was clearly/with certainty reported to your servants] that the Lord your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all of this land and to ·kill [destroy] all the people who lived in it [Deut. 20:15–18]. That is why we did this.