First Reading

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem,

and addressed them, saying:

"Fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely.

Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt,

and serve the Lord.

If it does not please you to serve the Lord,

decide today whom you will serve,

the gods your fathers served beyond the River

or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

But the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord

for the service of other gods.

For it was the Lord, our God,

who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,

out of a state of slavery.

He performed those great miracles before our very eyes

and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples

through whom we passed.

At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples,

including the Amorites who dwelt in the land.

Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God."

Joshua in turn said to the people,

"You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God;

he is a jealous God who will not forgive

your transgressions or your sins.

If, after the good he has done for you,

you forsake the Lord and serve strange gods,

he will do evil to you and destroy you."

But the people answered Joshua, "We will still serve the Lord."

Joshua therefore said to the people,

"You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord."

They replied, "We are, indeed!"

Joshua continued:

"Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you

and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel."

Then the people promised Joshua,

"We will serve the Lord, our God, and obey his voice."

So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day

and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem,

which he recorded in the book of the law of God.

Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak

that was in the sanctuary of the Lord.

And Joshua said to all the people, "This stone shall be our witness,

for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us.

It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God."

Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage.

After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the Lord,

died at the age of a hundred and ten.