Scriptures

New Living Translation (NLT)

Joshua 24
¹⁷ For the LORD our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us.
¹⁸ It was the LORD who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the LORD, for he alone is our God.”
¹⁹ Then Joshua warned the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.
²⁰ If you abandon the LORD and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you.”
²¹ But the people answered Joshua, “No, we will serve the LORD!”
²² “You are a witness to your own decision,” Joshua said. “You have chosen to serve the LORD.” “Yes,” they replied, “we are witnesses to what we have said.”
²³ “All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
²⁴ The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone.”
²⁵ So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to follow the decrees and regulations of the LORD.
²⁶ Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the terebinth tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD.
²⁷ Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.”