Joshua 1

The Lord Commissions Joshua

1After the death of Moses, the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2“Moses my servant is dead. Now arise, cross this Jordan — you and all this people — into the land I am giving them, the Israelites. 3Every place your foot treads, I have given to you, as I promised Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon to the great river, the river Euphrates — all the land of the Hittites — and to the Great Sea in the west: that will be your territory. 5No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or abandon you. 6Be strong and courageous, for you will give this people the land I swore to their fathers to give them, as their inheritance. 7Only be strong and very courageous, careful to act according to all the law my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may succeed wherever you go. 8This book of the law must not leave your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you are careful to act according to everything written in it. Then you will prosper in your way, and then you will succeed. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or discouraged, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua Prepares the People

10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: 11“Pass through the camp and command the people: ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross this Jordan to go in and take possession of the land Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.’” 12And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said: 13“Remember the word that Moses, the servant of Yahweh, commanded you: ‘Yahweh your God is giving you rest, and he has given you this land.’ 14Your wives, your children, and your livestock will stay in the land Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, will cross ahead of your brothers and help them, 15until Yahweh gives your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they too take possession of the land Yahweh your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your possession and take it — the land Moses, the servant of Yahweh, gave you east of the Jordan, toward the sunrise.” 16They answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17Just as we obeyed Moses in everything, so we will obey you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18Whoever rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”