1 Now a long time passed, after the Lord had given peace to Israel by subjecting all the surrounding nations. And Joshua was now old and very advanced in age.
2 Joshua called all of Israel, and those greater by birth, and the leaders and rulers and teachers, and he said to them: “I am elderly and advanced in age.
3 And you yourselves discern all that the Lord your God has done with all the surrounding nations, in what manner he himself has fought for you.
4 And now, since he has divided to you by lot all the land, from the eastern part of the Jordan even to the great sea, and yet many nations still remain,
5 the Lord your God will destroy them, and he will take them away before your face, and you shall possess the land, just as he has promised you.
6 Even so, be strengthened and be careful that you observe all the things that have been written in the book of the law of Moses, and that you do not turn aside from them, neither to the right, nor to the left.
7 Otherwise, after you have entered to the Gentiles, who will be among you in the future, you might swear by the name of their gods, and serve them, and adore them.
8 Instead, cling to the Lord your God, just as you have done even to this day.
9 And then the Lord God will take away, in your sight, nations that are great and very robust, and no one will be able to withstand you.
10 One of you shall pursue a thousand men of the enemies. For the Lord your God himself will fight on your behalf, just as he promised.
11 Even so, be very diligent and careful in this: that you love the Lord your God.
12 But if you choose to cling to the errors of these nations that live among you, and to mix with them by marriage, and to join with them by friendship,
13 even now, know this: that the Lord your God will not wipe them away before your face. Instead, they shall be a pit and a snare to you, and a stumbling block at your side, and stakes in your eyes, until he takes you away and scatters you from this excellent land, which he has delivered to you.
14 Lo, today I am entering the way of the entire earth, and you shall know with all your mind that, out of all the words that the Lord has promised to fulfill for you, not one will pass by unfulfilled.
15 Therefore, just as he has fulfilled in deed what he has promised, and all prosperous things have arrived, so will he bring upon you whatever evils were threatened, until he takes you away and scatters you from this excellent land, which he has delivered to you,
16 when you will have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he has formed with you, and will have served strange gods, and will have adored them. And then the fury of the Lord will rise up quickly and speedily against you, and you will be taken away from this excellent land, which he has delivered to 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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