1 Many kings near the sea and hills heard what God did for Israel. ⛰️ 2 They all joined to fight Joshua and Israel. ⚔️ 3 The people in Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai. ️ 4 They made a trick. They took old bags, old drink bags, old torn clothes, and dry bread. 5 Their shoes were old. Their clothes were old. Their bread had spots. 6 They came to Joshua at Gilgal. They said, “We came from far. Please make a peace deal with us.” ️ 7 The men of Israel said, “Maybe you live near us. We cannot make a deal if you live near.” 8 The Gibeon men said to Joshua, “We are your helpers.” Joshua said, “Who are you? Where are you from?” ️ 9 They said, “We came from very far. We heard of God. We heard what He did.” 10 “We heard God beat two big kings, Sihon and Og.” 11 “Our leaders said, ‘Take food. Go and ask for peace.’” 12 “Look! Our bread was warm at home. Now it is dry and crumbly.” ➡️ 13 “These drink bags were new. Now they are old. Our clothes and shoes are worn from the long way.” 14 The Israel men took the food. But they did not ask God. ♂️ 15 Joshua made a peace deal with them. The leaders made a big promise to let them live. 16 Three days later, Israel heard the truth. The Gibeon men lived near. 3️⃣️ 17 Israel went to their towns: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. ️ 18 Israel did not hit them. The leaders had made a promise in God’s name. All the people were mad at the leaders. ✋ 19 The leaders said, “We made a promise to God. We must not hurt them.” ️✋ 20 “We will let them live. If we break it, God will be mad at us.” ⚠️ 21 They said, “Let them live.” They will cut wood and carry water for all the people. 22 Joshua called the Gibeon men. He said, “Why did you trick us? You live near us.” ☎️❓ 23 Now you must do hard work. You will be helpers. You will cut wood and carry water for God’s house. ⛪ 24 They said, “We heard God told Moses to give you this land and to take out all the people here. We were very afraid. So we did this trick.” ️ 25 They said, “We are in your hand. Do what you think is good to us.” ♂️ 26 So Joshua kept them safe. Israel did not kill them. ️ 27 That day Joshua made them cut wood and carry water for all the people and for God’s house, where God would pick. ⛪