Joshua 23
1 Now a long time passed, after the Lord had given peace to Israel by subjecting all the surrounding nations. And Joshua was now old and very advanced in age.
以後上主使以色列同四周敵人平安無事，這樣過弓很長的時間，若蘇厄已年老，上了年紀，
2 Joshua called all of Israel, and those greater by birth, and the leaders and rulers and teachers, and he said to them: “I am elderly and advanced in age.
便將全以色列人，他們的長老、首領、判官和官長召來，對他們說：「我已年老，上了年紀
3 And you yourselves discern all that the Lord your God has done with all the surrounding nations, in what manner he himself has fought for you.
你們都親眼見了上主你們的天主，為了你們對有的民族所做的一切；因為是上你們的天主在替你們作戰。
4 And now, since he has divided to you by lot all the land, from the eastern part of the Jordan even to the great sea, and yet many nations still remain,
你們看，我己用抽籤方式，將由約旦河起，直到日落之處的大海之間，所消滅和所剩下的各民族的土地，按照你們各支派，都分了你們作產業。
5 the Lord your God will destroy them, and he will take them away before your face, and you shall possess the land, just as he has promised you.
上主你們的天主入將他們由你們面前趕走，使他們離開你們，叫你們承受他們的土地，一如上主你們的天主向你們所應許的。
6 Even so, be strengthened and be careful that you observe all the things that have been written in the book of the law of Moses, and that you do not turn aside from them, neither to the right, nor to the left.
因此，你們要更忠實謹守奉行梅瑟法律書上所記載的一切，不可偏左偏右，
7 Otherwise, after you have entered to the Gentiles, who will be among you in the future, you might swear by the name of their gods, and serve them, and adore them.
不可與你們中間的異族往來，不可提起你們的神名，不可指著他們起誓，不可事奉那些神袛，也不可在你們面前跪拜。
8 Instead, cling to the Lord your God, just as you have done even to this day.
反之，你們應依照你們直到到今天所行的，依附上主你們的天主，
9 And then the Lord God will take away, in your sight, nations that are great and very robust, and no one will be able to withstand you.
因為是上主從你們中間趕走了那些強大的異族，直到今天，沒有人能抵抗你們，
10 One of you shall pursue a thousand men of the enemies. For the Lord your God himself will fight on your behalf, just as he promised.
你們一人能趕走千人，是因為上主你們的天主，照衪所應許的，親自為你們作戰。
11 Even so, be very diligent and careful in this: that you love the Lord your God.
你們要盡心盡力，愛慕上主你們的天主。
12 But if you choose to cling to the errors of these nations that live among you, and to mix with them by marriage, and to join with them by friendship,
如果你們背棄上主，依戀你們中間所剩餘的異族，同他們結婚，互相往來，
13 even now, know this: that the Lord your God will not wipe them away before your face. Instead, they shall be a pit and a snare to you, and a stumbling block at your side, and stakes in your eyes, until he takes you away and scatters you from this excellent land, which he has delivered to you.
你們就當知道，上主你們的天主必不從你們面前，趕走這個異族，你們必將成為你們的羅網和陷阱，打你們腰的鞭子，扎你們眼的芒刺，直到從上主你們的天主所賜給你們的這福地上，全被消滅。
14 Lo, today I am entering the way of the entire earth, and you shall know with all your mind that, out of all the words that the Lord has promised to fulfill for you, not one will pass by unfulfilled.
看我今天就要走世人必走的路，你們要一心一意地承認，上主你們的天主應許所賜給你們的話，沒有一句落空。
15 Therefore, just as he has fulfilled in deed what he has promised, and all prosperous things have arrived, so will he bring upon you whatever evils were threatened, until he takes you away and scatters you from this excellent land, which he has delivered to you,
上主你們的天主對你們所應許的一切幸福，怎樣實行在你們身上，直到將你們從上主你們天主所賜與你們的這土地上消滅。
16 when you will have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he has formed with you, and will have served strange gods, and will have adored them. And then the fury of the Lord will rise up quickly and speedily against you, and you will be taken away from this excellent land, which he has delivered to you.”
如果你們違犯上主你們的天主與你們訂立的盟約，去事奉敬其他的神，上主必向你們大發忿怒，使你們迅速從你們的福地上消滅。
