Yahweh’s Commands to Joshua

1Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of [†]Yahweh, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ [†]attendant, saying, 2“Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been 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 which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous to [†]be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, so that you may [†]be prosperous 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 successful, and then you will [†]be prosperous. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua’s Command to the Officers

10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11“Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving you, to possess it.’”

12To the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua [†]said, 13“Remember the word which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘Yahweh your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’ 14Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them 15until Yahweh gives your brothers rest as He gives you, and they also possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan to the east 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 all things, so we will listen to you; only may Yahweh your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18Anyone 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.”