Joshua 9:21 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

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

English Amplified

And the leaders said to them, Let them live [and be our slaves]. So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the assembly, just as the leaders had said of them.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

And the leaders said to them, Let them live [and be our slaves]. So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the assembly, just as the leaders had said of them.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

They also said, “Let them live.” So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had promised them.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And the princes said to them, Let them live. And they were hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the assembly; as the princes had said to them.

English EASY 2024

We will let them live, but they will become our servants. They will cut wood and they will carry water for all the Israelite people.’ That is what the Israelite leaders decided to do.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

So let them live, but they will be our servants. They will cut wood for us and carry water for all our people." So the leaders did not break their promise of peace to them.

And the leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Let them live, but they will have to cut wood and carry water for us.” This was what the leaders suggested.

English God's Word - GW 1995

The leaders said that they should be allowed to live. So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation, as the leaders had said.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

They also said, "Let them live." So the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had promised them.

English KJV 1611

And 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.

English LSB

So the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” Thus they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

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.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

The leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

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.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

The leaders then added, “Let them live.” So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community, as the leaders had decided.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

They continued, "Let them live. But let them cut wood and carry water for the whole community." So the leaders kept their promise to them.

English NIV

They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community." So the leaders' promise to them was kept.

English NKJ 1982

And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.”

English NLT

Let them live. But we will make them chop the wood and carry the water for the entire community." So the Israelites kept their promise to the Gibeonites.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

The leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the leaders had decided concerning them.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the leaders had said of them.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

So they became servants of the Israelis, chopping their wood and carrying their water.

English Tyndale 1537

And the lords said unto them, that they should live: and they were made hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the lords said unto them.