Joshua 1
1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant:
"Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."
The Taking of the Land
10-11 Then Joshua gave orders to the people's leaders: "Go through the camp and give this order to the people: 'Pack your bags. In three days you will cross this Jordan River to enter and take the land God, your God, is giving you to possess.'"
12-15 Then Joshua addressed the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He said, "Remember what Moses the servant of God commanded you: God, your God, gives you rest and he gives you this land. Your wives, your children, and your livestock can stay here east of the Jordan, the country Moses gave you; but you, tough soldiers all, must cross the River in battle formation, leading your brothers, helping them until God, your God, gives your brothers a place of rest just as he has done for you. They also will take possession of the land that God, your God, is giving them. Then you will be free to return to your possession, given to you by Moses the servant of God, across the Jordan to the east."
16-18 They answered Joshua: "Everything you commanded us, we'll do. Wherever you send us, we'll go. We obeyed Moses to the letter; we'll also obey you—we just pray that God, your God, will be with you as he was with Moses. Anyone who questions what you say and refuses to obey whatever you command him will be put to death. Strength! Courage!"
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!”