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Joshua 9
New International Version
Joshua 9
New International Version
The Gibeonite Deception
9 Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things—the kings in the hill country,(A) in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea(B) as far as Lebanon(C) (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites,(D) Hivites(E) and Jebusites)(F)— 2 they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
3 However, when the people of Gibeon(G) heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,(H) 4 they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded[a] with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5 They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. 6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal(I) and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country;(J) make a treaty(K) with us.”
7 The Israelites said to the Hivites,(L) “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty(M) with you?”
8 “We are your servants,(N)” they said to Joshua.
But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”
9 They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country(O) because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports(P) of him: all that he did in Egypt,(Q) 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon,(R) and Og king of Bashan,(S) who reigned in Ashtaroth.(T) 11 And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, “We are your servants; make a treaty with us.”’ 12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. 13 And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.”
14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire(U) of the Lord. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace(V) with them to let them live,(W) and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.
16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near(X) them. 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth(Y) and Kiriath Jearim.(Z) 18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath(AA) to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.
The whole assembly grumbled(AB) against the leaders, 19 but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath(AC) we swore to them.” 21 They continued, “Let them live,(AD) but let them be woodcutters and water carriers(AE) in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.
22 Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way(AF) from you,’ while actually you live near(AG) us? 23 You are now under a curse:(AH) You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
24 They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told(AI) how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. 25 We are now in your hands.(AJ) Do to us whatever seems good and right(AK) to you.”
26 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 27 That day he made the Gibeonites(AL) woodcutters and water carriers(AM) for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose.(AN) And that is what they are to this day.
Footnotes
- Joshua 9:4 Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Septuagint) They prepared provisions and loaded their donkeys
約書亞記 9
Revised Chinese Union Version (Traditional Script) Shen Edition
約書亞記 9
Revised Chinese Union Version (Traditional Script) Shen Edition
基遍人欺騙約書亞
9 約旦河西，住山區、低地和沿大海一帶直到黎巴嫩的諸王，就是赫人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人的諸王，聽見這事， 2 就都聚集，同心合意要與約書亞和以色列人作戰。
3 基遍的居民聽見約書亞向耶利哥和艾城所做的事， 4 就設詭計，假扮使者[a]出去。他們拿舊布袋和破裂補過的舊皮酒袋馱在驢上， 5 將補過的舊鞋穿在腳上，把舊衣服穿在身上，作食物的餅都又乾又長了霉[b]。 6 他們到吉甲營中約書亞那裏，對他和以色列人說：「我們是從遠地來的，現在求你與我們立約。」 7 以色列人對希未人說：「或許你是住在我附近的。若是這樣，我怎能和你立約呢？」 8 他們對約書亞說：「我們是你的僕人。」約書亞對他們說：「你們是甚麼人？是從哪裏來的？」 9 他們對他說：「你的僕人是因耶和華—你 神的名從極遠之地來的。我們聽見他的名聲，他在埃及所做的一切， 10 以及他向約旦河東的兩個亞摩利王，希實本王西宏和在亞斯她錄的巴珊王噩所做的一切。 11 我們的長老和我們當地所有的居民對我們說：『你們手裏要帶着路上用的乾糧去迎接以色列人，對他們說：我們是你們的僕人。現在求你們與我們立約。』 12 我們出來要往你們這裏來的那日，這從我們家裏帶出來的餅是熱的；看哪，現在這餅又乾又長了霉。 13 這些皮酒袋，我們盛酒的時候還是新的；看哪，現在已經破裂了。我們這些衣服和鞋，因為路途非常遙遠，也都穿舊了。」 14 以色列人收下他們的一些食物，但是沒有求問耶和華的指示。 15 於是約書亞與他們建立和好關係，與他們立約，讓他們存活；會眾的領袖也向他們起誓。
16 以色列人與他們立約之後，過了三天才聽說他們是近鄰，住在附近。 17 以色列人起行，第三天就到了他們的城鎮，他們的城鎮是基遍、基非拉、比錄和基列‧耶琳。 18 因為會眾的領袖已經指着耶和華—以色列的 神向他們起誓，所以以色列人不擊殺他們。全會眾就向領袖發怨言。 19 眾領袖對全會眾說：「我們已經指着耶和華—以色列的 神向他們起誓，現在我們不能碰他們。 20 我們要這樣對待他們，讓他們存活，免得因我們向他們所起的誓而憤怒臨到我們。」 21 領袖對會眾說：「讓他們活着吧。」於是他們照領袖所說的，為全會眾作劈柴挑水的人。
22 約書亞召了他們來，對他們說：「你們為甚麼欺騙我們說：『我們離你們很遠』呢？其實你們就住在我們附近。 23 現在你們當受詛咒！你們中間必不斷有人作奴僕，為我 神的殿作劈柴挑水的人。」 24 他們回答約書亞說：「因為確實有人告訴你的僕人，耶和華—你的 神曾吩咐他的僕人摩西，把這全地賜給你們，並要在你們面前除滅這地所有的居民。我們因你們的緣故很怕自己喪命，就做了這事。 25 現在，看哪，我們在你手中，你看怎樣待我們是好的，是對的，就這樣做吧！」 26 於是約書亞就這樣對待他們，他救了他們脫離以色列人的手，以色列人沒有殺他們。 27 那日，約書亞分派他們到耶和華選擇的地方，為會眾和耶和華的壇劈柴挑水，直到今日。
Joshua 9
English Standard Version
Joshua 9
English Standard Version
The Gibeonite Deception
9 As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan (A)in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast (B)of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, (C)the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, 2 they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel.
3 But when the inhabitants of (D)Gibeon heard what Joshua had done (E)to Jericho and (F)to Ai, 4 they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, 5 with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. 6 And they went to Joshua in (G)the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” 7 But the men of Israel said to (H)the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then (I)how can we make a covenant with you?” 8 They said to Joshua, (J)“We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you? And where do you come from?” 9 They said to him, (K)“From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. (L)For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 10 (M)and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in (N)Ashtaroth. 11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’ 12 Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly. 13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” 14 So the men took some of their provisions, but (O)did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua (P)made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors (Q)and that they lived among them. 17 And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. (R)Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: let them live, lest (S)wrath be upon us, (T)because of the oath that we swore to them.” 21 And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became (U)cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders (V)had said of them.
22 Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, “Why did you deceive us, saying, (W)‘We are very far from you,’ when (X)you dwell among us? 23 Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, (Y)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 (Z)commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so (AA)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 (AB)cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, (AC)in the place that he should choose.
Joshua 9
1599 Geneva Bible
Joshua 9
1599 Geneva Bible
9 1 Divers Kings assemble themselves against Joshua. 3 The craft of the Gibeonites. 15 Joshua maketh a league with them. 23 For their craft they are condemned to perpetual slavery.
1 And when all the Kings that [a]were beyond Jordan, in the mountains and in the valleys, and by all the coasts of the [b]great Sea over against Lebanon (as the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites) heard thereof,
2 They gathered themselves together, to fight against Joshua, and against Israel with one [c]accord.
3 ¶ (A)But the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho, and to Ai.
4 And therefore they wrought craftily: for they went, and feigned themselves ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and old bottles for wine, both rent and [d]bound up,
5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet: also the raiment upon them was old, and all their provision of bread was dried, and molded.
6 So they came unto Joshua into the host to Gilgal, and said unto him, and unto the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make a league with us.
7 Then the men of Israel said unto the [e]Hivites, It may be that thou dwellest among us, how then can I make a league with thee?
8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. Then Joshua said unto them, Who are ye, and whence come ye?
9 And they answered him, From a very far country thy servants are come for [f]the Name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard his fame and all that he hath done in Egypt,
10 And all that he hath done to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which were at Ashtaroth.
11 Wherefore our Elders, and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take vittles [g]with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: now therefore make ye a league with us.
12 This our [h]bread we took it hot with us for victuals out of our houses, the day we departed to come unto you: but now behold, it is dried, and it is molded.
13 Also these bottles of wine which we filled, were new, and lo, they be rent, and these our garments and our shoes are old, by reason of the exceeding great journey.
14 ¶ And the [i]men accepted their tale concerning their victuals, and counseled not with the mouth of the Lord.
15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, that he would suffer them to live: also the Princes of the Congregation swore unto them.
16 ¶ But at the end of three days, after they had made a league with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.
17 And the children of Israel took their [j]journey, and came unto their cities the third day, and their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth and Kirjath Jearim.
18 And the children of Israel slew them not, because the Princes of the Congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: wherefore all the Congregation [k]murmured against the Princes.
19 Then all the Princes said unto all the Congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
20 But this we will do to them, and let them live, lest the wrath be upon us, because of the [l]oath which we swore unto them.
21 And the Princes said unto them again, Let them live, but they shall hew wood, and draw water unto all the Congregation, as the Princes appoint them.
22 Joshua then called them, and talked with them, and said, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you, when ye dwell among us?
23 Now therefore ye are accursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood, and drawers of water for [m]the house of my God.
24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was told thy servants, that the Lord thy God had (B)commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land out of your sight, therefore we were exceeding sore afraid for our lives at the presence of you, and have done this thing:
25 And behold now, we are in thine hand: do as it seemeth good and right in thine eyes to do unto us.
26 Even so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the [n]hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
27 And Joshua appointed them that same day to be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the Congregation, and for the [o]altar of the Lord unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
Footnotes
- Joshua 9:1 In respect of the plain of Moab.
- Joshua 9:1 The main sea called Mediterranean.
- Joshua 9:2 Hebrew, one mouth.
- Joshua 9:4 Because they were all worn.
- Joshua 9:7 For the Gibeonites and the Hivites were all one people.
- Joshua 9:9 Even the idolaters for fear of death will pretend to honor the true God, and receive his religion.
- Joshua 9:11 Hebrew, in your hand.
- Joshua 9:12 The wicked lack no art, nor spare no lies to set forth their policy, when they will deceive the servants of God.
- Joshua 9:14 Some think that the Israelites ate of their victuals, and so made a league with them.
- Joshua 9:17 From Gilgal.
- Joshua 9:18 Fearing lest for their fault the plague of God should have light upon them all.
- Joshua 9:20 This doth not establish rash oaths, but showeth God’s mercy toward his, which would not punish them for their fault.
- Joshua 9:23 For the uses of the Tabernacle and of the temple when it shall be built.
- Joshua 9:26 Who were minded to put them to death for fear of God’s wrath.
- Joshua 9:27 That is, for the service of the Temple, as verse 23.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Revised Chinese Union Version (Traditional Script) Shen Edition (RCU17TS)
和合本修訂版經文 © 2006, 2010, 2017 香港聖經公會。蒙允許使用。 Scripture Text of Revised Chinese Union Version © 2006, 2010, 2017 Hong Kong Bible Society. www.hkbs.org.hk/en/ Used by permission.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) 
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.