Joshua 9:6-15

9:6 They came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land. Make a treaty with us.” 9:7 The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us.¹ So how can we make a treaty with you?” 9:8 But they said to Joshua, “We are willing to be your subjects.”² So Joshua said to them, “Who are you and where do you come from?” 9:9 They told him, “Your subjects³ have come from a very distant land because of the reputation⁴ of the Lord your God, for we have heard the news about all he did in Egypt⁵ 9:10 and all he did to the two Amorite kings on the other side of the Jordan – King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan in Ashtaroth. 9:11 Our leaders and all who live in our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey and go meet them. Tell them, “We are willing to be your subjects.⁶ Make a treaty with us.”’ 9:12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it in our homes the day we started out to meet you,⁷ but now it is dry and hard.⁸ 9:13 These wineskins we filled were brand new, but look how they have ripped. Our clothes and sandals have worn out because it has been a very long journey.” 9:14 The men examined⁹ some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the Lord’s advice.¹⁰ 9:15 Joshua made a peace treaty with them and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community¹¹ sealed it with an oath.¹²

¹tn Heb “in our midst.”

²tn Heb “we are your servants.”

³tn Or “servants.”

⁴tn Heb “name.”

⁵tn Heb “the report about him, all that he did in Egypt.”

⁶tn Heb “your servants.”

⁷tn Heb “in the day we went out to come to you.”

⁸tn Or “moldy.”

⁹tn Heb “took.” This probably means they tasted some of the food to make sure it was stale.

¹⁰tn Heb “but they did not ask the mouth of the Lord.” This refers to seeking the Lord’s will and guidance through an oracle.

¹¹tn Or “assembly.”

¹²tn Heb “Joshua made peace with them and made a treaty with them to let them live, and the leaders of the community swore an oath to them.”