1Now it happened after the death of Moses, the servant of Yahweh, that Yahweh said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant, saying,
2“Moses my servant is dead. So now arise, cross over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.
3Every place on which the sole of your foot treads I have given to you, just as I spoke to Moses.
4From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun shall be your territory.
5No man shall stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you nor forsake you.
6Be strong and courageous, for you will cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give to them.
7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper 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 act in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your ways prosperous, and then you will prosper.
9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified and do not be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
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 over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.’”
12And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, saying,
13“Remember the word that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘Yahweh your God is giving you rest and will give you this land.’
14Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you yourselves, all the mighty men of valor, shall cross over armed for battle before your brothers, and you shall help them,
15until Yahweh gives rest to your brothers as to you, and they too take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and take possession of it, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan toward the rising of the sun.”
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 obeyed Moses in everything, so we will obey you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.
18Any man who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”
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