Joshua’s Farewell to the Leaders

23 After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest^(A) from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man,^{(B) 2} summoned all Israel—their elders,^(C) leaders, judges and officials^(D)—and said to them: “I am very old.^{(E) 3} You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.^(F)

⁶ “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law^(A) of Moses, without turning aside^(B) to the right or to the left.^{(C) 7} Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear^(D) by them. You must not serve them or bow down^(E) to them. ⁸ But you are to hold fast to the Lord^(F) your God, as you have until now.