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Joshua 23:16

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

If you break the agreement the LORD your God made with you—the one he commanded you to keep—and you go worship other gods and bow down to them, then the LORD's anger will burn against you. You will quickly be destroyed and removed from the good land he has given you.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Joshua is warning that breaking God's covenant by worshiping other gods will result in losing the promised land and facing God's judgment.

📚 Historical Context

This comes from Joshua's farewell speech to the Israelites after they had conquered and settled in the Promised Land. Joshua, now elderly, was reminding the people of their covenant obligations before his death. The Israelites were surrounded by pagan nations with attractive but false religions, making idolatry a constant temptation.

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