Joshua 1

1After the death of Moses, the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh said to Joshua son of Nun, the attendant of Moses, saying:

2Moses my servant is dead. So now, arise, cross this Jordan—you and all this people—into the land that I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

3Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

4From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—and as far as the Great Sea, toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.

5No man will stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you.

6Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give to them.

7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may act wisely wherever you go.

8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosper, and then you will act wisely.

9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, and do not be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.

10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11Go through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, because within three days you are crossing this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess it.’

12And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,

13Remember the word that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘Yahweh your God is giving you rest and will give you this land.’

14Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan. But you shall cross over before your brothers, armed, all the mighty men of valor, and you shall help them.

15until Yahweh gives your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they also take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and take possession of it, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan, toward the sunrise.

16And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

17Just as we listened to Moses in everything, so we will listen to you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, just as he was with Moses.

18Every man who rebels against your command and does not listen to your words in all that you command him shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.