Joshua 9

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 When the news reached the kings west of the Jordan, in the mountain regions and in the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea as far as Lebanon: Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites,	1 Now When these things were heard of, all the kings beyond the Jordan, that dwelt in the mountains and in the plains, in the places near the sea, and on the coasts of the great sea, they also that dwell by Libanus, the Hethite and the Amorrhite, the Chanaanite, the Pherezite, and the Hevite, and the Jebusite,
2 they all formed an alliance to launch a common attack against Joshua and Israel.	2 Gathered themselves together, to fight against Josue and Israel with one mind, and one resolution.
3 On learning what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, the inhabitants of Gibeon	3 But they that dwelt in Gabaon, hearing all that Josue had done to Jericho and Hai:
4 put into effect a device of their own. They chose provisions for a journey, making use of old sacks for their asses, and old wineskins, torn and mended.	4 Cunningly devising took for themselves provisions, laying old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles rent and sewed up again,
5 They wore old, patched sandals and shabby garments; and all the bread they took was dry and crumbly.	5 And very old shoes, which for a show of age were clouted with patches, and old garments upon them: the leaves also, which they carried for provisions by the way, were hard, and broken into pieces:
6 Thus they journeyed to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, where they said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land to propose that you make an alliance with us."	6 And they went to Josue, who then abode in the camp at Galgal, and said to him, and to all Israel with him: We are come from a far country, desiring to make peace with you. And the children of Israel answered them, and said:
7 But the men of Israel replied to the Hivites, "You may be living in land that is ours. How, then, can we make an alliance with you?"	7 Perhaps you dwell in the land which falls to our lot; if so, we can make no league with you.
8 But they answered Joshua, "We are your servants." Then Joshua asked them, "Who are you? Where do you come from?"	8 But they said to Josue: We are thy servants. Josue said to them: Who are you? and whence came you?
9 They answered him, "Your servants have come from a far-off land, because of the fame of the LORD, your God. For we have heard reports of all that he did in Egypt	9 They answered: From a very far country thy servants are come in the name of the Lord thy God. For we have heard the fame of his power, all the things that he did in Egypt.
10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan, Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth.	10 And to the two kings of the Amorrhites that were beyond the Jordan, Sehon king of Hesebon, and Og king of Basan, that was in Astaroth:
11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take along provisions for the journey and go to meet them. Say to them: We are your servants; we propose that you make an alliance with us.'	11 And our ancients, and all the inhabitants of our country said to us: Take with you victuals for a long way, and go meet them, and say: We are your servants, make ye a league with us.
12 This bread of ours was still warm when we brought it from home as provisions the day we left to come to you, but now it is dry and crumbled.	12 Behold, these leaves we took hot, when we set out from our houses to come to you, now they are become dry, and broken in pieces, by being exceeding old.
13 Here are our wineskins, which were new when we filled them, but now they are torn. Look at our garments and sandals, which are worn out from the very long journey."	13 These bottles of wine when we filled them were new, now they are rent and burst. These garments we have on, and the shoes we have on our feet, by reason of the very long journey are worn out, and almost consumed.
14 Then the Israelite princes partook of their provisions, without seeking the advice of the LORD.	14 They took therefore of their victuals, and consulted not the mouth of the Lord.
15 So Joshua made an alliance with them and entered into an agreement to spare them, which the princes of the community sealed with an oath.	15 And Josue made peace with them, and entering into a league promised that they should not be slain: the princes also of the multitude swore to them.
16 Three days after the agreement was entered into, the Israelites learned that these people were from nearby, and would be living in Israel.	16 Now three days after the league was made, they heard that they dwelt nigh, and they should be among them.
17 The third day on the road, the Israelites came to their cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim,	17 And the children of Israel removed the camp, and came into their cities on the third day, the names of which are Gabaon, and Caphira, and Beroth, and Cariathiarim.
18 but did not attack them, because the princes of the community had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. When the entire community grumbled against the princes,	18 And they slew them not, because the princes of the multitude had sworn in the name of the Lord the God of Israel. Then all the common people murmured against the princes.
19 these all remonstrated with the people, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and so we cannot harm them.	19 And they answered them: We have sworn to them in the name of the Lord the God of Israel, and therefore we may not touch them.
20 Let us therefore spare their lives and so deal with them that we shall not be punished for the oath we have sworn to them."	20 But this we mill do to them: Let their lives be saved, lest the wrath of the Lord be stirred up against us, if we should be forsworn.
21 Thus the princes recommended that they be let live, as hewers of wood and drawers of water for the entire community; and the community did as the princes advised them.	21 But so let them live, as to serve the whole multitude in hewing wood, and bringing in water. As they were speaking these things,
22 Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said to them, "Why did you lie to us and say that you lived at a great distance from us, when you will be living in our very midst?	22 Josue called the Gabaonites and said to them: Why would you impose upon us, saying: We dwell far off from you, whereas you are in the midst of us?
23 For this are you accursed: every one of you shall always be a slave (hewers of wood and drawers of water) for the house of my God."	23 Therefore you shall be under a curse, and your race shall always be hewers of wood, and carriers of water unto the house of my God.
24 They answered Joshua, "Your servants were fully informed of how the LORD, your God, commanded his servant Moses that you be given the entire land and that all its inhabitants be destroyed before you. Since, therefore, at your advance, we were in great fear for our lives, we acted as we did.	24 They answered: It was told us thy servants, that the Lord thy God had promised his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants thereof. Therefore we feared exceedingly and provided for our lives. compelled by the dread we had of you and we took this counsel.
25 And now that we are in your power, do with us what you think fit and right."	25 And now we are in thy hand: deal with us as it seemeth good and right unto thee.
26 Joshua did what he had decided: while he saved them from being killed by the Israelites,	26 So Josue did as he had said, and delivered them from the hand of the children of Israel, that they should not be slain.
27 at the same time he made them, as they still are, hewers of wood and drawers of water for the community and for the altar of the LORD, in the place of the LORD'S choice.	27 And he gave orders in that day that they should be in the service of all the people, and of the altar of the Lord, hewing wood and carrying water, until this present time, in the place which the Lord hath chosen.