Yehoshua's Farewell address to the Leaders of Yisrael
23:1 And it came to pass a long time after that YHWH (יהוה) had given rest unto Yisrael from all their enemies round about, that Yehoshua waxed old [and] stricken in age.
23:2 And Yehoshua called for all Yisrael, [and] for their zekenim (elders), and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old [and] stricken in age:
23:3 And ye have seen all that YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem hath done unto all these nations because of you; for YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem [is] he that hath fought for you.
23:4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Yarden, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
23:5 And YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem hath promised unto you.
23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to shomer and to do all that is written in the sefer ha Torah Mosheh, that ye turn not aside therefrom [to] the right hand or [to] the left;
23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their elohim (gods), nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
23:8 But cleave unto YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem, as ye have done unto this day.
23:9 For YHWH (יהוה) hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem.
23:12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
23:13 Know for a certainty that YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem hath given you.
23:14 And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your nefashot, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.
23:15 Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem promised you; so shall YHWH (יהוה) bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem hath given you.
23:16 When ye have transgressed the Brit YHWH (יהוה) Eloheichem, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other elohim (gods), and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of YHWH (יהוה) be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.