From there he attacked the people of Debir. (Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher.)

(Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba. Arba was a famous Anakite.) Then the land was free of war.

At that time the Lord told Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites once again.”

just as Moses the Lord’s servant had commanded the Israelites. As described in the law scroll of Moses, it was made with uncut stones untouched by an iron tool. They offered burnt sacrifices on it and sacrificed tokens of peace.

The stones will be a reminder to you. When your children ask someday, ‘Why are these stones important to you?’

If we have built an altar for ourselves to turn back from following the Lord by making burnt sacrifices and grain offerings on it, or by offering tokens of peace on it, the Lord himself will punish us.

or associate with these nations that remain near you. You must not invoke or make solemn declarations by the names of their gods! You must not worship or bow down to them!

Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord by turning back today from following after the Lord by building an altar for burnt offerings, sacrifices, and tokens of peace aside from the altar of the Lord our God located in front of his dwelling place!”