Joshua 9
New International Reader's Version
The People of Gibeon Trick Israel
9 All the kings who ruled west of the Jordan River heard about the battles Israel had won. That included the kings who ruled in the central hill country and the western hills. It also included those who ruled along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea all the way to Lebanon. They were the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 2 They brought their armies together to fight against Joshua and Israel.
3 The people of Gibeon heard about what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai. 4 So they decided to trick the Israelites. They packed supplies as if they were going on a long trip. They loaded their donkeys with old sacks and old wineskins. The wineskins were cracked but had been mended. 5 They put worn-out sandals on their feet. The sandals had been patched. They also wore old clothes. All the bread they took along was dry and moldy. 6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal. They spoke to him and the Israelites. They said, “We’ve come from a country that’s far away. Make a peace treaty with us.”
7 The Israelites said to the Hivites, “But suppose you live close to us. If you do, we can’t make a peace treaty with you.”
8 “We’ll serve you,” they said to Joshua.
But Joshua asked, “Who are you? Where do you come from?”
9 They answered, “We’ve come from a country that’s very far away. We’ve come because the Lord your God is famous. We’ve heard reports about him. We’ve heard about everything he did in Egypt. 10 We’ve heard about everything he did to Sihon and Og. They were the two kings of the Amorites. They ruled east of the Jordan River. Sihon was the king of Heshbon. Og was the king of Bashan. He ruled in Ashtaroth. 11 Our elders and all the people living in our country spoke to us. They said, ‘Take supplies for your trip. Go and meet the Israelites. Say to them, “We’ll serve you. Make a peace treaty with us.” ’ 12 Look at our bread. It was warm when we packed it. We packed it at home the day we left to come and see you. But look at how dry and moldy it is now. 13 When we filled these wineskins, they were new. But look at how cracked they are now. And our clothes and sandals are worn out because we’ve traveled so far.”
14 The Israelites looked over the supplies those people had brought. But they didn’t ask the Lord what they should do. 15 Joshua made a peace treaty with the people who had come. He agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community gave their word that they agreed with the treaty.
16 So the Israelites made a peace treaty with the people of Gibeon. But three days later they heard that the people of Gibeon lived close to them. 17 So the Israelites started out to go to the cities of those people. On the third day they came to Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. 18 But they didn’t attack those cities. That’s because the leaders of the community had given their word and made a peace treaty with them. They had given their word in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.
The whole community told the leaders they weren’t happy with them. 19 But all the leaders answered, “We’ve made a peace treaty with them. We’ve given our word in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. So we can’t touch them now. 20 But here is what we’ll do to them. We’ll let them live. Then the Lord won’t be angry with us because we didn’t keep our promise.” 21 They continued, “Let them live. But make them cut wood and carry water to serve the whole community.” So the leaders kept their promise to them.
22 Joshua sent for the people of Gibeon. He said to them, “Why did you trick us? You said, ‘We live far away from you.’ But in fact you live close to us. 23 So now you are under a curse. You will always serve us. You will always cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.”
24 They answered Joshua, “We were clearly told what the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to do. He commanded him to give you the whole land. He also ordered him to wipe out all its people to make room for you. So we were afraid you would kill us. That’s why we tricked you. 25 We are now under your control. Do to us what you think is good and right.”
26 So Joshua saved the people of Gibeon. He didn’t let the Israelites kill them. 27 That day he made them cut wood and carry water. They had to serve the community of Israel. They also had to do work connected with the altar of the Lord. The altar would be at the place the Lord would choose. And they still serve the Israelites to this day.
Giosué 9
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
6. IL TRATTATO TRA ISRAELE E GLI ABITANTI DI GABAON
Coalizione contro Israele
9 Non appena ebbero udito questi fatti, tutti i re che si trovavano oltre il Giordano, nella zona montuosa, nel bassopiano collinoso e lungo tutto il litorale del Mar Mediterraneo verso il Libano, gli Hittiti, gli Amorrei, i Cananei, i Perizziti, gli Evei, i Gebusei, 2 si allearono per far guerra di comune accordo contro Giosuè e Israele.
Astuzia degli abitanti di Gàbaon
3 Invece gli abitanti di Gàbaon, quando ebbero sentito ciò che Giosuè aveva fatto a Gerico e ad Ai, 4 ricorsero da parte loro ad un'astuzia: andarono a rifornirsi di vettovaglie, presero sacchi sdrusciti per i loro asini, otri di vino consunti, rotti e rappezzati, 5 si misero ai piedi sandali strappati e ricuciti, addosso vestiti logori. Tutto il pane della loro provvigione era secco e sbriciolato. 6 Andarono poi da Giosuè all'accampamento di Gàlgala e dissero a lui e agli Israeliti: «Veniamo da un paese lontano; stringete con noi un'alleanza». 7 La gente di Israele rispose loro: «Forse abitate in mezzo a noi e come possiamo stringere alleanza con voi?». 8 Risposero a Giosuè: «Noi siamo tuoi servi!» e Giosuè chiese loro: «Chi siete e da dove venite?». 9 Gli risposero: «I tuoi servi vengono da un paese molto lontano, a causa del nome del Signore Dio tuo, poiché abbiamo udito della sua fama, di quanto ha fatto in Egitto, 10 di quanto ha fatto ai due re degli Amorrei, che erano oltre il Giordano, a Sicon, re di Chesbon, e ad Og, re di Basan, che era ad Astarot. 11 Ci dissero allora i nostri vecchi e tutti gli abitanti del nostro paese: Rifornitevi di provviste per la strada, andate loro incontro e dite loro: Noi siamo servi vostri, stringete dunque un'alleanza con noi. 12 Questo è il nostro pane: caldo noi lo prendemmo come provvista nelle nostre case quando uscimmo per venire da voi e ora eccolo secco e ridotto in briciole; 13 questi otri di vino, che noi riempimmo nuovi, eccoli rotti e questi nostri vestiti e i nostri sandali sono consunti per il cammino molto lungo». 14 La gente allora prese le loro provviste senza consultare l'oracolo del Signore. 15 Giosuè fece pace con loro e stipulò l'alleanza di lasciarli vivere; i capi della comunità s'impegnarono verso di loro con giuramento.
16 Tre giorni dopo avere stipulato con essi il patto, gli Israeliti vennero a sapere che quelli erano loro vicini e abitavano in mezzo a loro. 17 Allora gli Israeliti partirono e il terzo giorno entrarono nelle loro città: le loro città erano Gàbaon, Chefira, Beerot e Kiriat-Iarim. 18 Ma gli Israeliti non li uccisero, perché i capi della comunità avevano loro giurato per il Signore, Dio di Israele, e tutta la comunità si lamentò dei capi.
Statuto degli abitanti di Gàbaon
19 Dissero allora tutti i capi dell'intera comunità: «Noi abbiamo loro giurato per il Signore, Dio di Israele, e ora non possiamo colpirli. 20 Faremo loro questo: li lasceremo vivere e così non ci sarà su di noi lo sdegno, a causa del giuramento che abbiamo loro prestato». 21 Ma aggiunsero i capi: «Vivano pure, siano però tagliatori di legna e portatori d'acqua per tutta la comunità». Come i capi ebbero loro parlato, 22 Giosuè chiamò i Gabaoniti e disse loro: «Perché ci avete ingannati, dicendo: Noi abitiamo molto lontano da voi, mentre abitate in mezzo a noi? 23 Orbene voi siete maledetti e nessuno di voi cesserà di essere schiavo e di tagliar legna e di portare acqua per la casa del mio Dio». 24 Risposero a Giosuè e dissero: «Era stato riferito ai tuoi servi quanto il Signore Dio tuo aveva ordinato a Mosè suo servo, di dare cioè a voi tutto il paese e di sterminare dinanzi a voi tutti gli abitanti del paese; allora abbiamo avuto molto timore per le nostre vite a causa vostra e perciò facemmo tal cosa. 25 Ora eccoci nelle tue mani, trattaci pure secondo quanto è buono e giusto ai tuoi occhi». 26 Li trattò allora in questo modo: li salvò dalla mano degli Israeliti, che non li uccisero; 27 e in quel giorno, Giosuè li costituì tagliatori di legna e portatori di acqua per la comunità e per l'altare del Signore, nel luogo che Egli avrebbe scelto, fino ad oggi.
Joshua 9
King James Version
9 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.
3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
10 And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.
11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:
13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.
15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
19 But 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 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
21 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.
22 And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.
26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
Joshua 9
New King James Version
The Treaty with the Gibeonites
9 And it came to pass when (A)all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of (B)the Great Sea toward Lebanon—(C)the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—heard about it, 2 that they (D)gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one [a]accord.
3 But when the inhabitants of (E)Gibeon (F)heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they worked craftily, and went and [b]pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and [c]mended, 5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. 6 And they went to Joshua, (G)to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a [d]covenant with us.”
7 Then the men of Israel said to the (H)Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so (I)how can we make a covenant with you?”
8 But they said to Joshua, (J)“We are your servants.”
And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”
9 So they said to him: (K)“From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God; for we have (L)heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt, 10 and (M)all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth. 11 Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.” ’ 12 This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. 13 And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”
14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; (N)but they [e]did not ask counsel of the Lord. 15 So Joshua (O)made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.
16 And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them. 17 Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were (P)Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim. 18 But the children of Israel did not [f]attack them, (Q)because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.
19 Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest (R)wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.” 21 And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be (S)woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had (T)promised them.”
22 Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, (U)‘We are very far from you,’ when (V)you dwell near us? 23 Now therefore, you are (W)cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
24 So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God (X)commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore (Y)we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25 And now, here we are, (Z)in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.” 26 So he did to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them. 27 And that day Joshua made them (AA)woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, (AB)in the place which He would choose, even to this day.
Footnotes
- Joshua 9:2 Lit. mouth
- Joshua 9:4 acted as envoys
- Joshua 9:4 Lit. tied up
- Joshua 9:6 treaty
- Joshua 9:14 Lit. did not inquire at the mouth of
- Joshua 9:18 strike
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
