Study Desk

Now, therefore, revere ye Yahweh, and serve him, in sincerity and in truth, - and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve ye Yahweh.

But, if it be, a vexation, in your eyes, to serve Yahweh, choose ye for yourselves, to-day, whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye are dwelling, - but, I and my house, will serve Yahweh.

Then responded the people, and said, Far be it from us, that we should forsake Yahweh, - to serve other gods;

for, as for Yahweh our God, he, brought up both us and our fathers, out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of servants, - and who did before our eyes, these great signs, and preserved us throughout all the way wherein we journeyed, and among all the peoples through the midst of whom we passed;

then did Yahweh drive out all the peoples, even the Amorites were dwelling in the land, from before us, - we too, will serve Yahweh, for, he, is our God.

Then said Joshua unto the people - Ye cannot serve Yahweh, for, a holy God, he is, a jealous GOD, he is, he will not forgive your transgression, nor your sins.

When ye forsake Yahweh, and serve the gods of a stranger, then will he turn, and inflict on you calamity, and consume you, after that he hath dealt well with you.

But the people said unto Joshua, - Nay! but, Yahweh, will we serve.

Then said Joshua unto the people - Witnesses, are ye, against yourselves, that, ye yourselves, have chosen you Yahweh, to serve him. And they said: Witnesses!

Now, therefore, put ye away the gods of the stranger, that are in your midst, - and incline your heart unto Yahweh, God of Israel.

And the people said unto Joshua, - Yahweh our God, will we serve, and, unto his voice, will we hearken.

So then Joshua solemnised a covenant for the people, on that day, - and set for them a statute and a regulation, in Shechem.

And Joshua wrote these words in the scroll of the law of God, - and took a great stone, and set it up there, under the oak that was by the sanctuary of Yahweh.

And Joshua said unto all the people - Lo! this stone, shall serve against us as a witness, for, it, hath heard all the sayings of Yahweh, which he hath spoken with us, - so shall it serve against you as a witness, lest ye should act deceptively against your God.

And Joshua sent the people away, every man unto his inheritance.