約書亞記 23

1 耶和華使以色列人安靜，不與四圍的一切仇敵爭戰，已經多日。約書亞年紀老邁，

And when a long time was passed, after that the Lord had given peace to Israel, all the nations round about being subdued, and Josue being now old, and far advanced in years:

2 就把以色列眾人的長老、族長、審判官，並官長都召了來，對他們說：「我年紀已經老邁。

Josue called for all Israel, and for the elders, and for the princes, and for the judges, and for the masters, and said to them: I am old, and far advanced in years:

3 耶和華－你們的上帝因你們的緣故向那些國所行的一切事，你們親眼看見了，因那為你們爭戰的是耶和華－你們的上帝。

And you see all that the Lord your God hath done to all the nations round about, how he himself hath fought for you:

4 我所剪除和所剩下的各國，從約旦河起到日落之處的大海，我已經拈鬮分給你們各支派為業。

And now since he hath divided to you by lot all the land, from the east of the Jordan unto the great sea, and many nations yet remain:

5 耶和華－你們的上帝必將他們從你們面前趕出去，使他們離開你們，你們就必得他們的地為業，正如耶和華－你們的上帝所應許的。

The Lord your God will destroy them, and take them away from before your face, and you shall possess the land as he hath promised you.

6 所以，你們要大大壯膽，謹守遵行寫在摩西律法書上的一切話，不可偏離左右。

Only take courage, and be careful to observe all things that are written in the book of the law of Moses: and turn not aside from them neither to the right hand nor to the left:

7 不可與你們中間所剩下的這些國民攙雜。他們的神，你們不可提他的名，不可指着他起誓，也不可事奉、叩拜；

Lest after that you are come in among the Gentiles, who will remain among you, you should swear by the name of their gods, and serve them, and adore them:

8 只要照着你們到今日所行的，專靠耶和華－你們的上帝。

But cleave ye unto the Lord your God: as you have done until this day.

9 因為耶和華已經把又大又強的國民從你們面前趕出；直到今日，沒有一人在你們面前站立得住。

And then the Lord God will take away before your eyes nations that are great and very strong, and no man shall be able to resist you.

10 你們一人必追趕千人，因耶和華－你們的上帝照他所應許的，為你們爭戰。

One of you shall chase a thousand men of the enemies: because the Lord your God himself will fight for you, as he hath promised.

11 你們要分外謹慎，愛耶和華－你們的上帝。

This only take care of with all diligence, that you love the Lord your God.

12 你們若稍微轉去，與你們中間所剩下的這些國民聯絡，彼此結親，互相往來，

But if you will embrace the errors of these nations that dwell among you, and make marriages with them, and join friendships:

13 你們要確實知道，耶和華－你們的上帝必不再將他們從你們眼前趕出；他們卻要成為你們的網羅、機檻、肋上的鞭、眼中的刺，直到你們在耶和華－你們上帝所賜的這美地上滅亡。

Know ye for a certainty that the Lord your God will not destroy them before your face, but they shall be a pit and a snare in your way, and a stumblingblock at your side, and stakes in your eyes, till he take you away and destroy you from off this excellent land, which he hath given you.

14 「我現在要走世人必走的路。你們是一心一意地知道，耶和華－你們上帝所應許賜福與你們的話沒有一句落空，都應驗在你們身上了。

Behold this day I am going into the way of all the earth, and you shall know with all your mind that of all the words which the Lord promised to perform for you, not one hath failed.

15 耶和華－你們上帝所應許的一切福氣怎樣臨到你們身上，耶和華也必照樣使各樣禍患臨到你們身上，直到把你們從耶和華－你們上帝所賜的這美地上除滅。

Therefore as he hath fulfilled in deed, what he promised, and all things prosperous have come: so Will he bring upon you all the evils he hath threatened, till he take you away and destroy you from off this excellent land, which he hath given you,

16 你們若違背耶和華－你們上帝吩咐你們所守的約，去事奉別神，叩拜他，耶和華的怒氣必向你們發作，使你們在他所賜的美地上速速滅亡。」

When you shall have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he hath made with you, and shall have served strange gods, and adored them: then shall the indignation of the Lord rise up quickly and speedily against you, and you shall be taken away from this excellent land, which he hath delivered to you.