16. And the people answered and said, Far be it from us that we should forsake Jehovah, to serve other gods;
17. for Jehovah our God, he it is that brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and that did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the peoples through the midst of whom we passed;
18. and Jehovah drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites that dwelt in the land: therefore we also will serve Jehovah; for he is our God.
19. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve Jehovah; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins.
20. If ye forsake Jehovah, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve Jehovah.
22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you Jehovah, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
23. Now therefore put away, said he, the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto Jehovah, the God of Israel.
24. And the people said unto Joshua, Jehovah our God will we serve, and unto his voice will we hearken.
25. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.