1 Many years later, after the LORD had given the Israelites rest from all their enemies round about them, and when Joshua was old and advanced in years,
2 he summoned all Israel (including their elders, leaders, judges and officers) and said to them: "I am old and advanced in years.
3 You have seen all that the LORD, your God, has done for you against all these nations; for it has been the LORD, your God, himself who fought for you.
4 Bear in mind that I have apportioned among your tribes as their heritage the nations that survive (as well as those I destroyed) between the Jordan and the Great Sea in the west.
5 The LORD, your God, will drive them out and dislodge them at your approach, so that you will take possession of their land as the LORD, your God, promised you.
6 Therefore strive hard to observe and carry out all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, not straying from it in any way,
7 or mingling with these nations while they survive among you. You must not invoke their gods, or swear by them, or serve them, or worship them,
8 but you must remain loyal to the LORD, your God, as you have been to this day.
9 At your approach the LORD has driven out large and strong nations, and to this day no one has withstood you.
10 One of you puts to flight a thousand, because it is the LORD, your God, himself who fights for you, as he promised you.
11 Take great care, however, to love the LORD, your God.
12 For if you ever abandon him and ally yourselves with the remnant of these nations while they survive among you, by intermarrying and intermingling with them,
13 know for certain that the LORD, your God, will no longer drive these nations out of your way. Instead they will be a snare and a trap for you, a scourge for your sides and thorns for your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD, your God, has given you.
14 "Today, as you see, I am going the way of all men. So now acknowledge with your whole heart and soul that not one of all the promises the LORD, your God, made to you has remained unfulfilled. Every promise has been fulfilled for you, with not one single exception.
15 But just as every promise the LORD, your God, made to you has been fulfilled for you, so will he fulfill every threat, even so far as to exterminate you from this good land which the LORD, your God, has given you.
16 If you transgress the covenant of the LORD, your God, which he enjoined on you, serve other gods and worship them, the anger of the LORD will flare up against you and you will quickly perish from the good land which he has given you."
Versículos relacionados com Joshua, 23:
Joshua chapter 23 describes Joshua's final speech to the people of Israel before his death. He reminds the people of God's faithfulness to fulfill their promises and encourages them to remain faithful to the Lord, obeying their law and avoiding idolatry. Joshua warns the people about the dangers of associating themselves with the pagan nations around them, which could lead to apostasy and consequent divine punishment. Following are five verses related to these themes:
Deuteronomy 4:23-24: "Take care, do not forget the covenant of the Lord, your God, who he has concluded with you, and do not make you an idol in any way, according to the Lord, your God, commanded you. For the Lord your God is a devouring fire, a zealous God. " This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness to God and the prohibition of idolatry, something Joshua also emphasized in his speech.
Exodus 23:32-33: "Thou shalt not make a covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, that they do not sin against me; for thou shalt serve their gods, which shall be a bond for you." This verse warns against the association with pagan nations and highlights the dangers of apostasy.
Deuteronomy 7:2-4: "And when the Lord thy God has given these nations in your hands, thou shalt exterminate them completely. Thou shalt not with them covenant, nor have mercy on them. Your children, you will not even take your daughters to your children. For they would divert your children from me, that they may serve other gods. " This verse is similar to the previous one, admonishing Israel not to make a covenant with the pagan nations.
Deuteronomy 28:15: "But if you do not listen to the voice of the Lord, your God, and do not take care of fulfilling all your commandments and statutes that I command you today, will come upon you all these curses, and will reach you." This verse highlights the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience.
Joshua 24:14-15: "Now I have feared the Lord, and served it with sincerity and faithfulness. Take the gods to whom you have served your parents beyond the Euphrates and Egypt, and serve the Lord." This verse summarizes Joshua's appeal to the people to remain faithful to God and avoid idolatry.
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