Joshua 24:16-28

New International Version

¹⁶ Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake^(A) the Lord to serve other gods! ¹⁷ It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery,^(B) and performed those great signs^(C) before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. ¹⁸ And the Lord drove out^(D) before us all the nations,^(E) including the Amorites, who lived in the land.^(F) We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.^(G)”

¹⁹ Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God;^(H) he is a jealous God.^(I) He will not forgive^(J) your rebellion^(K) and your sins. ²⁰ If you forsake the Lord^(L) and serve foreign gods, he will turn^(M) and bring disaster^(N) on you and make an end of you,^(O) after he has been good to you.”

²¹ But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the Lord.”

²² Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses^(P) against yourselves that you have chosen^(Q) to serve the Lord.”

“Yes, we are witnesses,^(R)” they replied.

²³ “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods^(S) that are among you and yield your hearts^(T) to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

²⁴ And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.”^(U)

²⁵ On that day Joshua made a covenant^(V) for the people, and there at Shechem^(W) he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws.^{(X) 26} And Joshua recorded^(Y) these things in the Book of the Law of God.^(Z) Then he took a large stone^(AA) and set it up there under the oak^(AB) near the holy place of the Lord.

²⁷ “See!” he said to all the people. “This stone^(AC) will be a witness^(AD) against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue^(AE) to your God.”^(AF)

²⁸ Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to their own inheritance.^(AG)