Joshua 1

The LORD Commissions Joshua

1After the death of Moses, servant of the LORD, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the children 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 Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun shall be your territory. 5No one 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 or abandon you. 6Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them.

Keep the Instruction

7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the instruction that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may act wisely wherever you go. 8This book of instruction shall not depart from your mouth. 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 prosperous, and then you will act wisely. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Prepare to Cross the Jordan

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 enter and possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”

The Eastern Tribes Promise Loyalty

12To the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13“Remember the word that Moses, servant of the LORD, commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God is giving you rest and has given you this land.’ 14Your wives, your little children, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan. But all your warriors shall cross over armed before your brothers and help them, 15until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as to you, and they also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses, servant of the LORD, gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.” 16They 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 everything, so we will listen to you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18Whoever rebels against your command and does not listen to your words in all that you command shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”