Joshua 9:21-27

English Standard Version

²¹ And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became ^(A)cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders ^(B)had said of them.

²² Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, “Why did you deceive us, saying, ^(C)‘We are very far from you,’ when ^(D)you dwell among us? ²³ Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, ^(E)cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.” ²⁴ They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the Lord your God had ^(F)commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so ^(G)we feared greatly for our lives because of you and did this thing. ²⁵ And now, behold, we are in your hand. Whatever seems good and right in your sight to do to us, do it.” ²⁶ So he did this to them and delivered them out of the hand of the people of Israel, and they did not kill them. ²⁷ But Joshua made them that day ^(H)cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, ^(I)in the place that he should choose.