Joshua 24:19

¹⁷ For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:

¹⁸ And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

²⁰ If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

²¹ And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins.
KJV: And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
WEB: Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins.
ASV: And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve Jehovah; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins.
DARBY: And Joshua said to the people, Ye cannot serve Jehovah, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
BLB: And Joshua said to the people, “You⁺ are not able to serve YHWH, for He [is] a holy God; He [is] a jealous God. He will not lift your⁺ transgressions and your⁺ sins.

ÅB: Og Josva sa til folket: Dere kan ikke tjene Herren, for han er en hellig Gud. En nidkjær Gud er han; han vil ikke bære over med deres overtredelser og synder.
OTB: Josva sa til folket: «Dere kan finne det vanskelig å tjene Herren. Han er en hellig Gud; han er en nidkjær Gud. Han vil ikke overse deres opprør og deres synder.
B1930: Og Josva sa til folket: I kan ikke tjene Herren, for han er en hellig Gud. En nidkjær Gud er han; han vil ikke bære over med eders overtredelser og synder.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Exodus 23:21
Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
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Isaiah 5:16
But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Read in context
Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Read in context
Psalms 99:5
Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Read in context
Psalms 99:9
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
Read in context
1 Samuel 6:20
And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
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Leviticus 19:2
Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
Read in context
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Read in context