Joshua 23:6
New International Version
“Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.

New Living Translation
“So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left.

English Standard Version
Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left,

Berean Standard Bible
Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left.

King James Bible
Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

New King James Version
Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

New American Standard Bible
Be very determined, then, to keep and do everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you will not turn aside from it to the right or to the left,

NASB 1995
“Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

NASB 1977
“Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

Legacy Standard Bible
Be very strong, then, to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

Amplified Bible
Be steadfast and very determined to keep and to do everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you do not turn aside from it to the right or the left,

Christian Standard Bible
“Be very strong and continue obeying all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you do not turn from it to the right or left

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Be very strong and continue obeying all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you do not turn from it to the right or left

American Standard Version
Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

Contemporary English Version
Be sure that you carefully obey everything written in The Book of the Law of Moses and do exactly what it says.

English Revised Version
Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now you must be very strong to keep and to do everything written in the Book of Moses' Teachings. Don't turn away from them.

Good News Translation
So be careful to obey and do everything that is written in the book of the Law of Moses. Do not neglect any part of it,

International Standard Version
Stand very strong, then, so you can obey and carry out everything written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning neither to the right nor to the left of it.

Majority Standard Bible
Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left.

NET Bible
Be very strong! Carefully obey all that is written in the law scroll of Moses so you won't swerve from it to the right or the left,

New Heart English Bible
Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left;

Webster's Bible Translation
Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside from it to the right hand or to the left;

World English Bible
“Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you not turn away from it to the right hand or to the left;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have been very strong to keep and to do the whole that is written in the Scroll of the Law of Moses, so as not to turn aside from it right or left,

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have been very strong to keep and to do the whole that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so as not to turn aside from it right or left,

Smith's Literal Translation
And be strong greatly to watch and to do all written in the book of the law of Moses, so as not to turn away from it to the right or to the left;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Only take courage, and be careful to observe all things that are written in the book of the law of Moses: and turn not aside from them neither to the right hand nor to the left:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Even so, be strengthened and be careful that you observe all the things that have been written in the book of the law of Moses, and that you do not turn aside from them, neither to the right, nor to the left.

New American Bible
Therefore be strong and be careful to observe all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, never turning from it right or left,

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore be very steadfast to observe and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right nor to the left,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Only be strong to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, the servant of God, and not turn aside from it, neither to the right hand nor to the left;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Only be greatly strengthened and keep and do all that is written in the Book of The Law of Moshe the Servant of LORD JEHOVAH, and you shall not turn away from him, neither to the right, nor to the left
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Do ye therefore strive diligently to observe and do all things written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not to the right hand or to the left;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joshua's Charge to Leaders
5The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you. 6Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left. 7So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 5:32
So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.

Deuteronomy 28:14
Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 11:8
You shall therefore keep every commandment I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and possess the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,

Deuteronomy 6:17
You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you.

1 Kings 2:3
And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,

2 Kings 17:13
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”

2 Chronicles 34:31
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book.

Psalm 119:4
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.

Psalm 119:102
I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.

Proverbs 4:27
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

Matthew 5:18-19
For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7:24
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.


Treasury of Scripture

Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

very

Joshua 1:7-9
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest…

Jeremiah 9:3
And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

that ye

Deuteronomy 5:32
Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Deuteronomy 12:32
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Deuteronomy 17:20
That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

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Joshua 23
1. Joshua's exhortation before his death
3. by former benefits
5. by promises
11. and by threatenings














Be very strong
This phrase is a call to courage and resilience. The Hebrew root word here is "chazaq," which means to be strong, firm, or resolute. In the context of Joshua's leadership, this strength is not merely physical but also moral and spiritual. It is a reminder that true strength comes from reliance on God and His promises. Historically, Joshua was leading the Israelites in a time of transition, and this exhortation was crucial for maintaining their faith and commitment to God's covenant.

then
This word serves as a conjunction, linking the call to strength with the subsequent action. It implies a conditional relationship, suggesting that the strength and courage mentioned are prerequisites for what follows. In the broader biblical narrative, obedience to God's commands is often contingent upon the strength and courage to follow through with His directives.

so that you can keep
The phrase emphasizes the purpose of being strong: to maintain adherence to God's law. The Hebrew word for "keep" is "shamar," which means to guard, observe, or give heed. This implies a vigilant and proactive effort to uphold God's commandments. It is not a passive act but an active, ongoing commitment to living according to God's will.

and do
This phrase highlights the importance of action in faith. It is not enough to merely know or understand God's law; one must also put it into practice. The Hebrew word "asah" means to do, make, or accomplish. This reflects the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The Israelites were called to be doers of the word, not just hearers.

all that is written
This refers to the entirety of the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites as a covenant. The phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of God's commandments. It is a call to complete obedience, not selective adherence. Historically, the written law was central to Israelite identity and worship, serving as a guide for righteous living.

in the Book of the Law of Moses
This phrase identifies the specific body of scripture that Joshua is referring to. The "Book of the Law" likely refers to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. These texts were foundational for the Israelites, containing the laws, commandments, and instructions given by God. Archaeologically, the existence of ancient texts and scrolls supports the historical reality of written laws during this period.

without turning aside
This phrase warns against deviation from God's commandments. The Hebrew word "sur" means to turn aside, depart, or remove. It conveys the idea of staying on a straight path, avoiding distractions or temptations that lead away from God's will. In the biblical context, turning aside often led to idolatry and disobedience, which had dire consequences for the Israelites.

to the right or to the left
This expression is a metaphor for maintaining a straight and narrow path of obedience. It suggests that any deviation, whether minor or major, is unacceptable. The imagery of a path is common in scripture, symbolizing the journey of faith and the importance of staying true to God's direction. Historically, this was a critical reminder for the Israelites as they settled in a land filled with pagan influences and potential distractions from their covenant with God.

(6) Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses.--As Joshua was the servant of the law himself, so must his successors be. No higher position was attainable than this. It has been the same with the successors of the greater Joshua. With them, and with those who follow them, nothing can ever supersede the authority of the written word.

Verse 6. - Be ye therefore very courageous. The original is stronger, Be ye exceedingly courageous (see note on Joshua 1:6). That is written in the book of the law of Moses. A yet more distinct intimation that the words of Moses had been collected into a book at this early period, and that it was known as the Book of the Law of Moses. It seems incredible that such a book should have been invented at a time when the precepts it contained were lightly regarded, and should have been represented as the proper standard of conduct when every one knew that it could never have been anything of the kind.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Be very
מְאֹ֔ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

strong, then,
וַחֲזַקְתֶּ֣ם (wa·ḥă·zaq·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

so that you can keep
לִשְׁמֹ֣ר (liš·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

and obey
וְלַעֲשׂ֔וֹת (wə·la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that is written
הַכָּת֔וּב (hak·kā·ṯūḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in the Book
בְּסֵ֖פֶר (bə·sê·p̄er)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

of the Law
תּוֹרַ֣ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of Moses,
מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

not
לְבִלְתִּ֥י (lə·ḇil·tî)
Preposition-l
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

turning aside
סוּר־ (sūr-)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from it
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

to the right
יָמִ֥ין (yā·mîn)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

or to the left.
וּשְׂמֹֽאול׃ (ū·śə·mō·wl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand


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OT History: Joshua 23:6 Therefore be very courageous to keep (Josh. Jos)
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