The Gibeonite Deception

Joshua 9

Joshua builds an altar and reads the law to all Israel at mount Gæbal, and afterward the inhabitants of Gabaon, disguising themselves with worn clothing and moldy provisions, deceive Joshua and the princes into making a covenant of peace with them. When the deception is discovered the Israelites spare the Gibeonites because of the oath but make them hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and the altar.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson—

BrentonAnd when the kings of the Amorites on the other side of Jordan, who were in the mountain country, and in the plain, and in all the coast of the great sea, and those who were near Antilibanus, and the Chettites, and the Chananites, and the Pherezites, and the Evites, and the Amorites, and the Gergesites, and the Jebusites, heard of it,

GreekὩς δὲ ἤκουσαν οἱ βασιλεῖς τῶν Ἀμοῤῥαίων οἱ ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, οἱ ἐν τῇ ὀρεινῇ, καὶ οἱ ἐν τῇ πεδινῇ, καὶ οἱ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ παραλίᾳ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς μεγάλης, καὶ οἱ πρὸς τῷ Ἀντιλιβάνῳ, καὶ οἱ Χετταῖοι, καὶ οἱ Χαναναῖοι, καὶ οἱ Φερεζαῖοι, καὶ οἱ Εὐαῖοι, καὶ οἱ Ἀμοῤῥαῖοι, καὶ οἱ Γεργεσαῖοι, καὶ οἱ Ἰεβουσαῖοι,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

Brentonthey came all together at the same time to make war against Joshua and Israel.

Greekσυνήλθοσαν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ἐκπολεμῆσαι Ἰησοῦν καὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἅμα πάντες.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonIn the meanwhile Joshua built an altar to the Lord the God of Israel, on mount Garizin,

BrentonThen Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in mount Gæbal,

GreekΤότε ᾠκοδόμησεν Ἰησοῦς θυσιαστήριον Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ Ἰσραὴλ ἐν ὄρει Γαιβὰλ,

KJVThen Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

JPSThen Joshua built an altar unto the LORD, the God of Israel, in mount Ebal,

Thomsonas Moses the servant of the Lord commanded Israel, as it is written in the law of Moses, an altar of unwrought stones which iron had never struck, and offered thereon whole burnt offerings to the Lord, and a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Brentonas Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, on which iron had not been lifted up; and he offered there whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord, and a peace-offering.

Greekκαθότι ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῆς ὁ θεράπων Κυρίου τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραῆλ, καθὰ γέγραπται ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωυσῆ, θυσιαστήριον λίθων ὁλοκλήρων, ἐφʼ οὓς οὐκ ἐπεβλήθη σίδηρος· καὶ ἀνεβίβασεν ἐκεῖ ὁλοκαυτώματα Κυρίῳ, καὶ θυσίαν σωτηρίου.

KJVAs Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

JPSas Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, upon which no man had lifted up any iron; and they offered thereon burnt-offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace-offerings.

ThomsonAnd when Joshua had written on the stones the repetition of the law of Moses, in the presence of the children of Israel,

BrentonAnd Joshua wrote upon the stones a copy of the law, even the law of Moses, before the children of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἔγραψεν Ἰησοῦς ἐπὶ τῶν λίθων τὸ δευτερονόμιον, νόμον Μωυσῆ, ἐνώπιον τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.

JPSAnd he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote before the children of Israel.

Thomsonthen all Israel with their elders, and their judges, and their under officers, marched out, some on one side, and some on the other side of the Ark, which was at a distance before them; and the priests and the Levites carried the Ark of the covenant of the Lord; and the proselyte, as well as the home-born, attended. One half were on mount Garizin, and the other half on mount Gaibal, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded: first to bless the people;

BrentonAnd all Israel, and their elders, and their judges, and their scribes, passed on one side and on the other before the ark; and the priests and the Levites took up the ark of the covenant of the Lord; and the stranger and the native were there, who were half of them near mount Garizin, and half near mount Gæbal, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded at first, to bless the people.

GreekΚαὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ δικασταὶ, καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς αὐτῶν, παρεπορεύοντο ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν τῆς κιβωτοῦ ἀπέναντι· καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ οἱ Λευῖται ᾖρν τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης Κυρίου· καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος καὶ ὁ αὐτόχθων, οἳ ἦσαν ἥμισυ πλησίον ὄρους Γαριζὶν, καὶ οἳ ἦσαν ἥμισυ πλησίον ὄρους Γαιβὰλ, καθότι ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῆς ὁ θεράπων Κυρίου εὐλογῆσαι τὸν λαὸν ἐν πρώτοις.

KJVAnd all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

JPSAnd all Israel, and their elders and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger as the home-born; half of them in front of mount Gerizim and half of them in front of mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded at the first, that they should bless the people of Israel.

Thomsonand afterwards, as Joshua read all the words of that law, the blessings, and the curses, according to all that were written in the law of Moses.

BrentonAnd afterwards Joshua read accordingly all the words of this law, the blessings and the curses, according to all things written in the law of Moses.

GreekΚαὶ μετὰ ταῦτα οὕτως ἀνέγνω Ἰησοῦς πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ νόμου τούτου, τὰς εὐλογίας καὶ τὰς κατάρας, κατὰ πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωυσῆ.

KJVAnd afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

JPSAnd afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

ThomsonThere was not a word of all that Moses commanded Joshua, which Joshua did not read in the hearing of all the congregation of Israel, to the men and women, and to the children, and the proselytes who sojourned with Israel.

BrentonThere was not a word of all that Moses charged Joshua, which Joshua read not in the ears of all the assembly of the children of Israel, the men, and the women, and the children, and the strangers that joined themselves to Israel.

GreekΟὐκ ἦν ῥῆμα ἀπὸ πάντων ὧν ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῆς τῷ Ἰησοῖ, ὃ οὐκ ἀνέγνω Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὰ ὦτα πάσης ἐκκλησίας υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, τοῖς ἀνδράσι καὶ ταῖς γυναιξὶ καὶ τοῖς παιδίοις καὶ τοῖς προσηλύτοις τοῖς προσπορευομένοις τῷ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVThere was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

JPSThere was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that walked among them.

ThomsonNow when the inhabitants of Gabaon heard all that the Lord had done to Jericho, and Gai, they acted with subtilty.

BrentonAnd the inhabitants of Gabaon heard of all that the Lord did to Jericho and Gai.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες Γαβαὼν ἤκουσαν πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησε Κύριος τῇ Ἱεριχὼ καὶ τῇ Γαί.

KJVAnd when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

JPSBut when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

ThomsonThey went and furnished themselves with provisions, and made other suitable preparations, and taking old bags on their shoulders, and old skins of wine which were cracked, and bound up,

BrentonAnd they also wrought craftily, and they went and made provision and prepared themselves; and having taken old sacks on their shoulders, and old and rent and patched bottles of wine,

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν καί γε αὐτοὶ μετὰ πανουργίας· καὶ ἐλθόντες ἐπεσιτίσαντο καὶ ἡτοιμάσαντο· καὶ λαβόντες σάκκους παλαιοὺς ἐπὶ τῶν ὤμων αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀσκοὺς οἴνου παλαιοὺς καὶ κατεῤῥωγότας ἀποδεδεμένους,

KJVThey 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;

JPSthey also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine skins, worn and rent and patched up;

Thomsonand shoes for their feet, the under part of which were hollow, and the upper part old and clouted, and the garments they put on being worn out, and the bread for their journey dry, mouldy, and worm eaten,

Brentonand the upper part of their shoes and their sandals old and clouted on their feet, and their garments old upon them—and the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy and corrupt.

Greekκαὶ τὰ κοῖλα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτῶν, καὶ τὰ σανδάλια αὐτῶν παλαιὰ καὶ καταπεπελματωμένα ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν, καὶ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν πεπαλαιωμένα ἐπάνω αὐτῶν, καὶ ὁ ἄρτος αὐτῶν τοῦ ἐπισιτισμοῦ ξηρὸς καὶ εὐρωτιῶν καὶ βεβρωμένος.

KJVAnd old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

JPSand worn shoes and clouted upon their feet, and worn garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and was become crumbs.

Thomsonthey came to Joshua, to the camp of Israel, at Galgala, and said to Joshua and Israel, We are come from a far distant land, now therefore make a covenant with us.

BrentonAnd they came to Joshua into the camp of Israel to Galgala, and said to Joshua and Israel, We are come from a far land: now then make a covenant with us.

GreekΚαὶ ἤλθοσαν πρὸς Ἰησοῦν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Ἰσραὴλ εἰς Γάλγαλα, καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς Ἰησοῦν καὶ Ἰσραήλ, ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν ἥκαμεν· καὶ νῦν διάθεσθε ἡμῖν διαθήκην.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel: ‘We are come from a far country; now therefore make ye a covenant with us.’

ThomsonAnd the children of Israel said to the Chorrite, Perhaps thou dwellest near me; how then can I make a covenant with thee?

BrentonAnd the children of Israel said to the Chorrhæan, Peradventure thou dwellest amongst us; and how should I make a covenant with thee?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς τὸν Χοῤῥαῖον, ὅρα μὴ ἐν ἐμοὶ κατοικεῖς· καὶ πῶς σοι διαθῶμαι διαθήκην;

KJVAnd the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?

JPSAnd the men of Israel said unto the Hivites: ‘Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a covenant with you?’

ThomsonThereupon they said to Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said to them, Whence are you? And whence come you?

BrentonAnd they said to Joshua, We are thy servants: and Joshua said to them, Whence are ye, and whence have ye come?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν πρὸς Ἰησοῦν, οἰκεται σου ἐσμέν· καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ἰησοῦς, πόθεν ἐστὲ, καὶ πόθεν παραγεγόνατε;

KJVAnd they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?

JPSAnd they said unto Joshua: ‘We are thy servants.’ And Joshua said unto them: ‘Who are ye? and from whence come ye?’

ThomsonAnd they said, Thy servants are come from a very far distant country, because of the name of the Lord thy God; for we have heard of His name, and of all that He hath done in Egypt,

BrentonAnd they said, Thy servants are come from a very far country in the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard his name, and all that he did in Egypt,

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν, ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν σφόδρα ἥκασιν οἱ παῖδές σου ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου· ἀκηκόαμεν γὰρ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὅσα ἐποίησεν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ,

KJVAnd 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,

JPSAnd 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,

Thomsonand what He hath done to the kings of the Amorites, who were on the border of the Jordan, to Seon king of the Amorites, and to Og, the king of Basan, who dwelt at Asteroth and Edrain.

Brentonand all that he did to the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond Jordan, to Seon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Basan, who dwelt in Astaroth and in Edrain.

Greekκαὶ ὅσα ἐποίησε τοῖς βασιλεῦσι τῶν Ἀμοῤῥαίων, οἳ ἦσαν πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, τῷ Σηὼν βασιλεῖ τῶν Ἀμοῤῥαίων, καὶ τῷ Ὢγ βασιλεῖ τῆς Βασὰν, ὃς κατῴκει ἐν Ἀσταρὼθ καὶ ἐν Ἐδραΐν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSand all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

ThomsonAt the news of which, our elders and all the inhabitants of our land spoke to us saying, Take for yourselves provisions for the journey, and go and meet them, and say to them, We are thy servants; make a covenant with us.

BrentonAnd our elders and all that inhabit our land when they heard spoke to us, saying, Take to yourselves provision for the way, and go to meet them; and ye shall say to them, We are thy servants, and now make a covenant with us.

GreekΚαὶ ἀκούσαντες εἶπαν πρὸς ἡμᾶς οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἡμῶν καὶ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν γῆν ἡμῶν, λέγοντες, λάβετε ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισιτισμὸν εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν, καὶ πορεύθητε εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐρεῖτε πρὸς αὐτοὺς, οἰκέται σου ἐσμὲν, καὶ νῦν διάθεσθε ἡμῖν τὴν διαθήκην.

KJVWherefore 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.

JPSAnd our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying: Take provision in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them: We are your servants; and now make ye a covenant with us.

ThomsonThese loaves we took hot for our journey, on the day we set out to come to you; but now they are dry, and become mouldy;

BrentonThese are the loaves—we took them hot for our journey on the day on which we came out to come to you; and now they are dried and become mouldy.

GreekΟὗτοι οἱ ἄρτοι, θερμοὺς ἐφωδιάσθημεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ ἐξήλθομεν παραγενέσθαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς· νῦν δὲ ἐξηράνθησαν καὶ γεγόνασι βεβρωμένοι.

KJVThis 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:

JPSThis 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 is become crumbs.

Thomsonthese skins of wine were filled new; but they are cracked; and these our garments, and our shoes, are worn out with the length of the journey.

BrentonAnd these are the skins of wine which we filled when new, and they are rent; and our garments and our shoes are worn out because of the very long journey.

GreekΚαὶ οὗτοι οἱ ἀσκοὶ τοῦ οἴνου οὓς ἐπλήσαμεν καινοὺς, καὶ οὗτοι ἐῤῥώγασι· καὶ τὰ ἱμάτια ἡμῶν, καὶ τὰ ὑποδήματα ἡμῶν πεπαλαίωται ἀπὸ τῆς πολλῆς ὁδοῦ σφόδρα.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd these wine-skins, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they are rent. And these our garments and our shoes are worn by reason of the very long journey.’

ThomsonThen the rulers took some of their provisions, and did not consult the Lord.

BrentonAnd the chiefs took of their provision, and asked not counsel of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβον οἱ ἄρχοντες τοῦ ἐπισιτισμοῦ αὐτῶν, καὶ Κύριον οὐκ ἐπηρώτησαν.

KJVAnd the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

JPSAnd the men took of their provision, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

ThomsonAnd Joshua made peace with them, and they entered into a covenant with them to save their lives; and the chiefs of the congregation swore to them.

BrentonAnd Joshua made peace with them, and they made a covenant with them to preserve them; and the princes of the congregation sware to them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν Ἰησοῦς πρὸς αὐτοὺς εἰρήνην, καὶ διέθεντο πρὸς αὐτοὺς διαθήκην τοῦ διασῶσαι αὐτούς· καὶ ὤμοσαν αὐτοῖς οἱ ἄρχοντες τῆς συναγωγῆς.

KJVAnd Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

JPSAnd Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the princes of the congregation swore unto them.

ThomsonBut three days after they had entered into covenant with them, they heard that they were in the neighbourhood, and dwelt close by them.

BrentonAnd it came to pass three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were near neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας μετὰ τὸ διαθέσθαι πρὸς αὐτοὺς διαθήκην, ἤκουσαν ὅτι ἐγγύθεν αὐτῶν εἰσι, καὶ ὅτι ἐν αὐτοῖς κατοικοῦσι.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.

ThomsonWhereupon the children of Israel removed, and came to their cities. Now their cities were Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarim;

BrentonAnd the children of Israel departed and came to their cities; and their cities were Gabaon, and Kephira, and Berot, and the cities of Jarin.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῇραν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὰς πόλεις αὐτῶν· αἱ δὲ πόλεις αὐτῶν Γαβαὼν καὶ Κεφιρὰ καὶ Βηρὼτ, καὶ πόλεις Ἰαρίν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

ThomsonBut the children of Israel did not make war on them, because all the chiefs had sworn to them by the Lord the God of Israel.

BrentonAnd the children of Israel fought not with them, because all the princes sware to them by the Lord God of Israel; and all the congregation murmured at the princes.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἐμαχέσαντο αὐτοῖς οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι ὤμοσαν αὐτοῖς πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν Ἰσραήλ· καὶ διεγόγγυσαν πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ ἐπὶ τοῖς ἄρχουσι.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

ThomsonWhen all the congregation murmured at the chiefs, the chiefs said to all the congregation, We have sworn to them by the Lord the God of Israel; now therefore we cannot touch them.

BrentonAnd the princes said to all the congregation: We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel, and now we shall not be able to touch them.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄρχοντες πάσῃ τῇ συναγωγῇ, ἡμεῖς ὠμόσαμεν αὐτοῖς Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ νῦν οὐ δυνησόμεθα ἅψασθαι αὐτῶν.

KJVBut 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.

JPSBut all the princes said unto all the congregation: ‘We have sworn unto them by the LORD, the God of Israel; now therefore we may not touch them.

ThomsonThis we will do. We will let them live and protect them; that there may be no wrath against us because of the oath which we have sworn to them.

BrentonThis we will do; take them alive, and we will preserve them: so there shall not be wrath against us by reason of the oath which we swore to them.

GreekΤοῦτο ποιήσομεν, ζωγρῆσαι αὐτοὺς, καὶ περιποιησόμεθα αὐτούς· καὶ οὐκ ἔσται καθʼ ἡμῶν ὀργὴ διὰ τὸν ὅρκον, ὃν ὠμόσαμεν αὐτοῖς.

KJVThis 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.

JPSThis we will do to them, and let them live; lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we swore unto them.’

ThomsonThey shall live; but they shall be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the chiefs have said to them.

BrentonThey shall live, and shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water to all the congregation, as the princes said to them.

GreekΖήσονται, καὶ ἔσονται ξυλοκόποι καὶ ὑδροφόροι πάσῃ τῇ συναγωγῇ, καθάπερ εἶπαν αὐτοῖς οἱ ἄρχοντες.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd the princes said concerning them: ‘Let them live’; so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken concerning them.

ThomsonFor Joshua had called them, and said to them, Why did you impose upon me saying, We are far distant from thee, seeing you are our nearest neighbour?

BrentonAnd Joshua called them together and said to them, Why have ye deceived me, saying, We live very far from you; whereas ye are fellow-countrymen of those who dwell among us?

GreekΚαὶ συνεκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς Ἰησοῦς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, διατί παρελογίσασθέ με, λέγοντες, μακρὰν ἀπὸ σοῦ ἐσμὲν σφόδρα· ὑμεῖς δὲ ἐγχώριοί ἐστε τῶν κατοικούντων ἐν ἡμῖν;

KJVAnd 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?

JPSAnd Joshua called for them, and he spoke unto them, saying: ‘Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying: We are very far from you, when ye dwell among us?

ThomsonNow therefore you are cursed, and not one of you shall escape servitude—from being a hewer of wood, and a drawer of water, for me and my God.

BrentonAnd now ye are cursed: there shall not fail of you a slave, or a hewer of wood, or a drawer of water to me and my God.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἐπικατάρατοί ἐστε· οὐ μὴ ἐκλείπῃ ἐξ ὑμῶν δοῦλος, οὐδὲ ξυλοκόπος, οὐδὲ ὑδροφόρος ἐμοὶ καὶ τῷ Θεῷ μου.

KJVNow 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.

JPSNow therefore ye are cursed, and there shall never fail to be of you bondmen, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.’

ThomsonAnd they answered Joshua saying, We were told all that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to extirpate us, and all the inhabitants thereof from before you, therefore we were in great terror for our lives because of you, and we did this.

BrentonAnd they answered Joshua, saying, It was reported to us what the Lord thy God charged his servant Moses, to give you this land, and to destroy us and all that dwelt on it from before you; and we feared very much for our lives because of you, and therefore we did this thing.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν τῷ Ἰησοῖ, λέγοντες, ἀνηγγέλη ἡμῖν ὅσα συνέταξε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου Μωυσῇ τῷ παιδὶ αὐτοῦ, δοῦναι ὑμῖν τὴν γῆν ταύτην, καὶ ἐξολοθρεῦσαι ἡμᾶς καὶ πάντας τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπʼ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ προσώπου ὑμῶν· καὶ ἐφοβήθημεν σφόδρα περὶ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν ἀπὸ προσώπου ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐποιήσαμεν τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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 for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.

ThomsonAnd now behold we are in your power, deal with us as you please, and as it seemeth good to you.

BrentonAnd now, behold, we are in your power; do to us as it is pleasing to you, and as it seems good to you.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ὑποχείριοι ὑμῖν· ὡς ἀρέσκει ὑμῖν καὶ ὡς δοκεῖ ὑμῖν, ποιήσατε ἡμῖν.

KJVAnd now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

JPSAnd now, behold, we are in thy hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.’

Thomson—

BrentonAnd they did so to them; and Joshua rescued them in that day out of the hands of the children of Israel, and they did not slay them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς οὕτως· καὶ ἐξείλατο αὐτοὺς Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐκ χειρῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ οὐκ ἀνεῖλον αὐτούς.

KJVAnd so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

JPSAnd so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.

ThomsonSo they dealt with them in this manner, and Joshua saved them that day out of the hand of the Israelites, and they did not destroy them. And on that day Joshua made them hewers of wood, and drawers of water, for the whole congregation, and for the altar of God. For this cause the inhabitants of Gabaon are hewers of wood, and drawers of water, for the altar of God, even at this day, and are to be so for the place which the Lord will choose.

BrentonAnd Joshua made them in that day hewers of wood and drawers of water to the whole congregation, and for the altar of God: therefore the inhabitants of Gabaon became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the altar of God until this day, even for the place which the Lord should choose.

GreekΚαὶ κατέστησεν αὐτοὺς Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ξυλοκόπους καὶ ὑδροφόρους πάσῃ τῇ συναγωγῇ, καὶ τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ· διὰ τοῦτο ἐγένοντο οἱ κατοικοῦντες Γαβαὼν ξυλοκόποι καὶ ὑδροφόροι τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, καὶ εἰς τὸν τόπον ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται Κύριος.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, unto this day, in the place which He should choose.