A reading from the book of the prophet Joshua.

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges and their officers.  When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people and said, “If it does not please you to serve Our God, decide today whom you will serve – the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my household, we will serve Our God, the Most High.”

But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake Our God for the service of other gods.  For it was the Most High who brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery.  God performed these great miracles before our very eyes, and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed.  And Our God drove out from before us all those peoples, even the Amorites who used to live in this land.  Therefore we too will serve the Sovereign One, who is Our God.”

The Word of God recorded in the book of the prophet Joshua.

R: O taste and see that Our God is good!

I will bless Our God at all times,

praise will continually be in my mouth.

My soul will rejoice in Our God,

let the humble hear it and be glad.

R:  O taste and see that Our God is good!

The eyes of Our God are toward the just,

and God’s ears are open to their cry.

The face of Our God is against the evildoers,

to root up their memory from the earth.

R: O taste and see that Our God is good!

The righteous cried, the Most High heard

and saved them out of all their troubles.

Our God is close to the brokenhearted,

and rescues those whose spirit is crushed.

R: O taste and see that Our God is good!

Many are the afflictions of the just,

but out of them all Our God delivers them.

Our God protects their very bones,

not one of them is broken.

R: O taste and see that Our God is good!

Evil will slay the wicked

and the haters of the just will be chastised.

Our God redeems those who serve,

all those taking refuge in God will go free.

R: O taste and see that Our God is good!