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But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/joshua/24.htm">New Living Translation</a> But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” <a href="/esv/joshua/24.htm">English Standard Version</a> And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” <a href="/bsb/joshua/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” <a href="/kjv/joshua/24.htm">King James Bible</a> And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/24.htm">New King James Version</a> And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” <a href="/nasb_/joshua/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” <a href="/nasb/joshua/24.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/joshua/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” <a href="/lsb/joshua/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” <a href="/amp/joshua/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” <a href="/csb/joshua/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But if it doesn’t please you to worship the LORD, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD.” <a href="/hcsb/joshua/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But if it doesn&#8217t please you to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.&#8221 <a href="/asv/joshua/24.htm">American Standard Version</a> And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah. <a href="/cev/joshua/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But if you don't want to worship the LORD, then choose here and now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you're living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you'll worship their gods. I won't. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD! <a href="/erv/joshua/24.htm">English Revised Version</a> And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. <a href="/gwt/joshua/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But if you don't want to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Even if you choose the gods your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live, my family and I will still serve the LORD." <a href="/gnt/joshua/24.htm">Good News Translation</a> If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve the LORD." <a href="/isv/joshua/24.htm">International Standard Version</a> If you think it's the wrong thing for you to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve—the gods whom your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose territories you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." <a href="/msb/joshua/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!? <a href="/net/joshua/24.htm">NET Bible</a> If you have no desire to worship the LORD, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the LORD!" <a href="/nheb/joshua/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." <a href="/wbt/joshua/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And if it seemeth evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. <a href="/web/joshua/24.htm">World English Bible</a> If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and if [it is] wrong in your eyes to serve YHWH—choose for yourselves today whom you serve—whether the gods whom your fathers served, which [are] beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorite in whose land you are dwelling; but me and my house—we serve YHWH.” <a href="/ylt/joshua/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and if wrong in your eyes to serve Jehovah -- choose for you to-day whom ye do serve; -- whether the gods whom your fathers served, which are beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorite in whose land ye are dwelling; and I and my house -- we serve Jehovah.' <a href="/slt/joshua/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And if evil in your eyes to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served which are beyond the river, and whether the gods of the Amorite which ye dwelt in their land: and I and my house, we will serve Jehovah.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, you have your choice: choose this day that which pleaseth you, whom you would rather serve, whether the gods which your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or the gods of the Amorrhites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But if it seems evil to you that you would serve the Lord, a choice is given to you. Choose today what pleases you, and whom you ought to serve above all else, either the gods that your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” <a href="/nabre/joshua/24.htm">New American Bible</a> If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors 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.” <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And if it is evil in your eyes to serve LORD JEHOVAH, choose for yourselves today whom you serve, if the gods that your fathers served at the crossing of the river, or the gods of the Amorites where you dwell in their land, but I and the children of my household, we serve LORD JEHOVAH; he is God!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.' <a href="/sep/joshua/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But if it seem not good to you to serve the Lord, choose to yourselves this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods of your fathers that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, among whom ye dwell upon their land: but I and my house will serve the Lord, for he is holy. <a href="/parallel/joshua/24-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=6409" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joshua/24.htm">Choose Whom You will Serve</a> 14Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15<a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">But if</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: ra‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">it is unpleasing</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê·ḵem (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 2mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in your sight</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: la·‘ă·ḇōḏ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">to serve</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: ba·ḥă·rū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">then choose</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">for yourselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">this day</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ṯa·‘ă·ḇō·ḏūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">you will serve,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">whether the</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your fathers</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ‘ā·ḇə·ḏū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">served</a> <a href="/hebrew/5676.htm" title="5676: bə·ʿē·ḇɛr (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Region across or beyond, side. From abar; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially on the opposite side.">beyond</a> <a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: han·nā·hār (Art:: N-ms) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">the Euphrates,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">the gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/567.htm" title="567: hā·’ĕ·mō·rî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps mountain dwellers, a Canaanite tribe. ">of the Amorites</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">in whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bə·’ar·ṣām (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">land</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šə·ḇîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">are living.</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: wə·’ā·nō·ḵî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">As for me</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ū·ḇê·ṯî (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">and my house,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: na·‘ă·ḇōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">we will serve</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD!”</a> 16The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19-20</a> I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, / and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a> Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a> No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. <a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Romans 6:16</a> Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a> You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces. <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">1 Samuel 7:3</a> Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” <a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a> No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” <a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">2 Kings 17:35-39</a> For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. / And you must always be careful to observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. ... <a href="/john/6-67.htm">John 6:67-69</a> So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?” / Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. / We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” <a href="/judges/2-7.htm">Judges 2:7</a> And the people served the LORD throughout the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, who had seen all the great works that the LORD had done for Israel. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16-17</a> What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” / “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” <a href="/philippians/1-21.htm">Philippians 1:21</a> For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. <a href="/ruth/1-15.htm">Ruth 1:15-18</a> “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; follow her back home.” / But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-21.htm">1 Corinthians 10:21</a> You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. <a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-26</a> By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.choose<a href="/ruth/1-15.htm">Ruth 1:15,16</a> And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law… <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a> And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.<a href="/ezekiel/20-39.htm">Ezekiel 20:39</a> As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.whether the gods<a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">Joshua 24:14</a> Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.or the gods<a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24,32,33</a> Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images… <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Exodus 34:15</a> Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;<a href="/deuteronomy/13-7.htm">Deuteronomy 13:7</a> Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;as for me<a href="/genesis/18-19.htm">Genesis 18:19</a> For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.<a href="/psalms/101-2.htm">Psalm 101:2</a> I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.<a href="/psalms/119-106.htm">Psalm 119:106,111,112</a> I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/24-12.htm">Amorites</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/joshua/24-13.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/joshua/23-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/joshua/22-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">River</a> <a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/joshua/9-25.htm">Seemeth</a> <a href="/joshua/9-25.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">Served</a> <a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">Side</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/joshua/23-14.htm">Today</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-22.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/joshua/23-16.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/24-18.htm">Amorites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/judges/1-21.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/joshua/24-20.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/joshua/24-17.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/4-7.htm">River</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-17.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/judges/10-15.htm">Seemeth</a> <a href="/judges/10-15.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/joshua/24-16.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/joshua/24-20.htm">Served</a> <a href="/joshua/24-30.htm">Side</a> <a href="/joshua/24-17.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/judges/9-19.htm">Today</a> <a href="/judges/2-22.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/joshua/24-22.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 24</div>1. <a href="/joshua/24-1.htm">Joshua assembles the tribes at Shechem</a> 2. <a href="/joshua/24-2.htm">A brief history of God's benefits from Terah</a> 14. <a href="/joshua/24-14.htm">He renews the covenant between them and God</a> 26. <a href="/joshua/24-26.htm">A stone the witness of the covenant</a> 29. <a href="/joshua/24-29.htm">Joshua's age, death, and burial</a> 32. <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joseph's bones are buried</a> 33. <a href="/joshua/24-33.htm">Eleazar dies</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/24.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, This phrase presents a choice to the Israelites, highlighting the freedom of will in serving God. It reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where service to the LORD is not coerced but chosen. The context is Joshua's farewell address, urging the Israelites to remain faithful to the covenant established at Sinai. The concept of serving God is central to Israel's identity, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-13.htm">Deuteronomy 6:13</a>, where serving the LORD is tied to fearing Him and swearing by His name.then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, The urgency of "this day" emphasizes the immediacy of the decision. The call to choose reflects the covenant renewal ceremony, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where vassals reaffirmed their loyalty to a suzerain. This choice is not just a personal decision but a communal one, affecting the entire nation. The idea of choosing whom to serve is echoed in Elijah's challenge to Israel in <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a>, where he calls the people to decide between the LORD and Baal.whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, This refers to the ancestral gods worshiped by the patriarchs before Abraham's call, as seen in <a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Genesis 11:31</a>, where Terah, Abraham's father, lived in Ur of the Chaldeans. The Euphrates River represents a geographical boundary, symbolizing a spiritual boundary as well. The mention of these gods serves as a reminder of the idolatry from which God called Abraham, establishing a new covenant relationship with him and his descendants.or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. The Amorites were one of the Canaanite peoples inhabiting the Promised Land. Their gods, such as Baal and Asherah, were associated with fertility and agriculture, appealing to the Israelites living in a land dependent on these elements. The cultural and religious influence of the Amorites posed a constant temptation to Israel, as seen in <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-13</a>, where the Israelites repeatedly turned to Canaanite deities, leading to cycles of apostasy and repentance.As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Joshua's declaration is a personal and familial commitment to the LORD, setting an example for the nation. This statement underscores the importance of leadership and personal responsibility in spiritual matters. Joshua's resolve mirrors the call to love and serve God wholeheartedly, as commanded in <a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12</a>. It also foreshadows the New Testament call to follow Christ, where believers are urged to choose whom they will serve, as seen in <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a>, where Jesus teaches that one cannot serve two masters. Joshua's leadership is a type of Christ, who leads His people into the ultimate Promised Land through faith and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a> The leader of Israel after Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is delivering his farewell address to the people of Israel in this passage. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who have settled in the Promised Land. They are being called to make a decisive choice about whom they will serve. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The one true God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and gave them the Promised Land. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_gods_beyond_the_euphrates.htm">The gods beyond the Euphrates</a> Refers to the deities worshiped by the ancestors of the Israelites before God called Abraham. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_gods_of_the_amorites.htm">The gods of the Amorites</a> The local deities of the land of Canaan, where the Israelites now reside.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_choice.htm">The Necessity of Choice</a> Every believer must make a conscious decision about whom they will serve. Neutrality is not an option in spiritual matters. <a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_culture.htm">The Influence of Culture</a> Just as the Israelites were surrounded by foreign gods, Christians today face cultural pressures that can lead them away from God. We must be vigilant in our commitment. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_in_the_home.htm">Leadership in the Home</a> Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD," highlights the importance of spiritual leadership within the family. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faith.htm">Legacy of Faith</a> The decision to serve the LORD impacts not only the individual but also future generations. Our choices today can set a precedent for those who come after us. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a> Serving the LORD may not always be easy or popular, but it is a commitment that requires steadfastness, especially in challenging times.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 24</a> <a href="/q/how_does_your_home_show_your_beliefs.htm">How does your home reflect your faith and values?</a> <a href="/q/is_free_will_an_illusion,_not_divine.htm">How does neuroscience explain free will as an illusion rather than a divine gift?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_freedom_of_religion_mean.htm">What does freedom of religion mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'serve_the_lord'_mean.htm">What does "We will serve the Lord" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) The Amorites.--Here used generically for the inhabitants of Canaan.As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.--For Joshua himself the service of Jehovah on earth was nearly over. He pledges his "house" to the same service. What is known of his family? It is a singular fact that no descendant of the great conqueror, no member of his household, is named in the Bible. In the genealogies of Ephraim in 1 Chronicles 7, Joshua's name is the last in his own line (<a href="/joshua/24-27.htm" title="And Joshua said to all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us: it shall be therefore a witness to you, lest you deny your God.">Joshua 24:27</a> : "Non his son, Jehoshuah his son"). I cannot but regard the silence of Scripture under this head as profoundly significant. It is one more analogy between the Joshua of the Old Testament and his great Antitype in the Gospel: "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" (<a href="/hebrews/3-6.htm" title="But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.">Hebrews 3:6</a>). The house of Joshua embraces all the faithful servants of the Lord.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - Or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. There is a reductio ad absurdum here. "Had ye served those gods ye would never have been here, nor would the Amorites have been driven out before you." The reference to the gods of their fathers seems to be intended to suggest the idea of an era long since lost in the past, and thrown into the background by the splendid deliverances and wonders which Jehovah had wrought among them. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Or, Jehovah. Here speaks the sturdy old warrior, who had led them to victory in many a battle. He invites them, as Elijah did on another even more memorable occasion, to make their choice between the false worship and the true, between the present and the future, between the indulgence of their lusts and the approval of their conscience. But as for himself, his choice is already made. No desire to stand well with the children of Israel obscures the clearness of his vision. No temptations of this lower world pervert his sense of truth. The experience of a life spent in His service has convinced him that Jehovah is the true God. And from that conviction he does not intend to swerve. In days when faith is weak and compromise has become general, when the sense of duty is slight or the definitions of duty vague, it is well that the spirit of Joshua should be displayed among the leaders in Israel, and that there should be those who will take their stand boldly upon the declaration," But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." <a href="/commentaries/joshua/24-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But if וְאִם֩ (wə·’im) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it is unpleasing רַ֨ע (ra‘) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil in your sight בְּֽעֵינֵיכֶ֜ם (bə·‘ê·nê·ḵem) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain to serve לַעֲבֹ֣ד (la·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave the LORD, יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel choose בַּחֲר֨וּ (ba·ḥă·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> To try, select for yourselves לָכֶ֣ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> this day הַיּוֹם֮ (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day whom מִ֣י (mî) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix you will serve, תַעֲבֹדוּן֒ (ṯa·‘ă·ḇō·ḏūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave whether the gods אֱלֹהִ֞ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative your fathers אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father served עָבְד֣וּ (‘ā·ḇə·ḏū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave beyond מֵעֵ֣בֶר‪‬ (mê·‘ê·ḇer) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5676.htm">Strong's 5676: </a> A region across, on the opposite side the Euphrates, הַנָּהָ֔ר (han·nā·hār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> A stream, prosperity or וְאִם֙ (wə·’im) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the gods אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of the Amorites הָאֱמֹרִ֔י (hā·’ĕ·mō·rî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_567.htm">Strong's 567: </a> Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe in whose אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that land בְּאַרְצָ֑ם (bə·’ar·ṣām) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land you אַתֶּ֖ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you are living. יֹשְׁבִ֣ים (yō·šə·ḇîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry As for me וְאָנֹכִ֣י (wə·’ā·nō·ḵî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> I and my house, וּבֵיתִ֔י (ū·ḇê·ṯî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house we will serve נַעֲבֹ֖ד (na·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave the LORD!? יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">OT History: Joshua 24:15 If it seems evil to you (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/24-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 24:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 24:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/24-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 24:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 24:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>