21 The leaders of the congregation also said to them, “Let them live!” So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation, as the leaders told them.
22 Joshua met them and said, “Why did you trick us, saying, ‘We are very distant from you,’ but you are living in our midst?
23 Therefore now you are cursed, and you will always be slaves, cutting wood and carrying water for the house of my God.”
24 They answered Joshua, “It was told to your slaves that the Lord your God commanded Moses His servant to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you. So we were very afraid for our lives, and we did this thing.
25 Now here we are, in your hands. Do to us whatever is good and right in your eyes.”
26 Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hand of the children of Israel; and they did not kill them.
27 That day he made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and the altar of the Lord, even to this day, at the place He would choose.