Joshua 1

The Lord Instructs Joshua

1 After the death of the Lord’s servant Moses, the Lord said to Moses’ assistant Joshua, son of Nun,2 “My servant Moses is dead. Now you and all these people must cross the Jordan River into the land that I am going to give the people of Israel.3 I will give you every place on which you set foot, as I promised Moses.4 Your borders will be the desert on the south, nearby Lebanon to the Euphrates River (the country of the Hittites) on the north, and the Mediterranean Sea on the west.5 No one will be able to oppose you successfully as long as you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will never neglect you or abandon you.

6 Be strong and courageous, because you will help these people take possession of the land I swore to give their ancestors.
7 “Only be strong and very courageous, faithfully doing everything in the teachings that my servant Moses commanded you. Don’t turn away from them. Then you will succeed wherever you go.

8 Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed.
9 “I have commanded you, ‘Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ ”

The People Promise to Obey Joshua

10 Then Joshua ordered the officers of the people,

11 “Go through the camp. Tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River to take possession of the land the Lord your God is going to give you.’ ”
12 Next, Joshua said to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh,13 “Remember what the Lord’s servant Moses commanded you. Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will give you this land—a place to rest.’14 Your wives, children, and livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan River. However, all your best soldiers must march in battle formation ahead of your relatives. You must help your relatives

15 take possession of the land the Lord your God is going to give them. Then they will have a place to rest like you do. After that, you may go back and take possession of the land east of the Jordan River which the Lord’s servant Moses gave you.”
16 The people responded to Joshua, “We’ll do everything you tell us and go wherever you send us.17 We will obey you as we obeyed Moses. May the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.

18 Whoever rebels against your authority or does not obey your orders will be put to death. Just be strong and courageous!”

Joshua 1

The Lord Commissions Joshua

1 After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant:2 “Moses my servant is dead. Get ready!t Cross the Jordan River!t Lead these people into the land which I am ready to hand over to them.s3 I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses.t4 Your territory will extend from the wilderness in the south to Lebanon in the north. It will extend all the way to the great River Euphrates in the east (including all of Syria)t and all the way to the Mediterranean Seat in the west.t5 No one will be able to resist yout all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone.6 Be strong and brave! You must lead these people in the conquest of this land that I solemnly promised their ancestors I would hand over to them.t7 Make sure you aret very strong and brave! Carefully obeyt all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep!t Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successfult in all you do.t8 This law scroll must not leave your lips!ts You must memorize itt day and night so you can carefully obeyt all that is written in it. Then you will prospert and be successful.t

9 I repeat,t be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic,t for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.”t

Joshua Prepares for the Invasion

10 Joshua instructedt the leaders of the people:

11 “Go through the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your supplies, for within three days you will cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to you.’”t
12 Joshua told the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh:13 “Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you.ts The Lord your God is giving you a place to settle and is handing this land over to you.ts14 Your wives, children and cattle may stay in the land that Moses assigned to you east of the Jordan River. But all you warriors must cross over armed for battle ahead of your brothers.t You must help them

15 until the Lord gives your brothers a place like yours to settle and they conquer the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to them. Then you may go back to your allotted land and occupy the land Moses the Lord’s servant assigned you east of the Jordan.”t
16 They told Joshua, “We will do everything you say. We will go wherever you send us.17 Just as we obeyedt Moses, so we will obey you. Butt may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses!

18 Any man who rebels against what you say and does not obey all your commands will be executed.t Butt be strong and brave!”