¹⁸ But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath^(A) to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.

The whole assembly grumbled^(B) against the leaders, ¹⁹ but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. ²⁰ This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath^(C) we swore to them.” ²¹ They continued, “Let them live,^(D) but let them be woodcutters and water carriers^(E) in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

The Law and the Promise

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters,^(A) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.