1 Moses the servant of Jehovah died. After his death Jehovah spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying:

2 »Moses my servant is dead. Arise and cross over the Jordan River. Take the people into the land given to them, even to the children of Israel.

3 »I give you every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon just as I promised Moses.

4 »From the wilderness and nearby Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun to the west, shall be your coast.

5 »No man will be able to resist you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

6 »Be strong and courageous for you will help this people inherit the land. This is the land I swore to give to their fathers.

7 »Be strong and very courageous, that you may be careful to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

8 »This Book of the Law will not depart out of your mouth. You must meditate intensely studythink deeply on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. Then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

9 »Have I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed; for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.«

10 Joshua commanded the officers of the people. He said:

11 »Pass through the middle of the camp and command the people, say: Prepare your provisions. In three days you will pass over this Jordan. You will go in to possess the land that Jehovah your God gave you to possess.«

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

13 »Remember the word Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you: ‘Jehovah your God has given you rest, and has given you this land.’«

14 »Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them.

15 »Your brothers will possess the land Jehovah gave them until Jehovah gives your brothers rest. Then you will return to the land you possess and enjoy it. This is the land Jehovah’s servant Moses gave you on this side of Jordan toward the sunrise to the east.«

16 They answered Joshua: »All that you command us we will do. Wherever you send us we will go.

17 »Just as we listened to Moses in all things, we will listen to you in all things. May Jehovah your God be with you, as he was with Moses.

18 »Whoever rebels against your commandment, and does not listen to your words in all that you command him must be put to death. Be strong and of a good courage.«