Joshua 17:13-15

Contemporary English Version

¹³ When the Israelites grew stronger, they made the Canaanites in these towns work as their slaves, though they never did force them to leave.

Joseph's Descendants Ask for More Land

¹⁴ One day the Joseph tribes^[a] came to Joshua and asked, “Why didn't you give us more land? The Lord has always been kind to us, and we have too many people for this small region.”

¹⁵ Joshua replied, “If there's not enough room for you in the hill country of Ephraim, then go into the forest that belonged to the Perizzites and the Rephaim.^[b] Clear out the trees and make more room for yourselves there.”