Joshua endeavored to lead his hearers to weigh well their words, and refrain from vows which they would be unprepared to fulfill. With deep earnestness they repeated the declaration: "Nay; but we will serve the Lord." Solemnly consenting to the witness against themselves that they had chosen Jehovah, they once more reiterated their pledge of loyalty: "The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey.

Josua bestræbte sig på at få sine tilhørere til at veje deres ord nøje og afholde sig fra at give løfter, som de ikke kunne holde. I dybeste alvor gentog de erklæringen: "Nej, Herren vil vi tjene!" De bekræftede højtideligt, at de var vidner imod sig selv på, at de havde valgt Herren, og gentog endnu en gang troskabsløftet: "Herren vor Gud vil vi tjene, og hans røst vil vi lyde!"