1After Moses, the servant of Yahweh, died, Yahweh spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant. He said,
2“My servant Moses is dead. Now you and all these people must get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am giving to the people of Israel.
3I have promised you every place you set foot, just as I promised Moses.
4Your territory will extend from the wilderness and this Lebanon mountain range all the way to the great river, the Euphrates, including all the land of the Hittites, and west to the Great Sea.
5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6“Be strong and courageous, because you are the one who will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to give their ancestors.
7Just be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law that my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.
8This book of the law must always be on your lips. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for Yahweh your God will be with you wherever you go.”
10Then Joshua gave orders to the leaders of the people,
11“Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River to go in and take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to own.’ ”
12Joshua also spoke to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying,
13“Remember what Moses, the servant of Yahweh, commanded you. He said, ‘Yahweh your God is giving you rest and will give you this land.’
14Your wives, your children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on the east side of the Jordan. But all your fighting men, armed and ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your relatives and help them,
15until Yahweh gives your relatives rest, just as he has given it to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving them. Only then may you return to the land you own, the land that Moses, the servant of Yahweh, gave you east of the Jordan.”
16They answered Joshua, “We will do everything you have commanded us, and we will go wherever you send us.
17Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, just as he was with Moses.
18Anyone who rebels against your command and disobeys your words in anything you command him will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”