First ReadingJoshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
From the Book of Joshua
1Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem,and called for the elders of Israel,for their heads, for their judges,and for their officers;and they presented themselves before God.2Joshua said to all the people,“The Lord, the God of Israel,says, ‘Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River,even Terah, the father of Abraham,and the father of Nahor.They served other gods. verses 3–14 are not read15If it seems evil to you to serve the Lord,choose today whom you will serve;whether the gods which your fathers servedthat 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.”
16The people answered,“Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord,to serve other gods;17for it is the Lord our God who brought usand our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,from the house of bondage,and who did those great signs in our sight,and preserved us in all the way in which we went,and among all the peoples through the middle of whom we passed.18The Lord drove out from before us all the peoples,even the Amorites who lived in the land.Therefore we also will serve the Lord;for he is our God.”