1Now after the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, God spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses' aide, 2“Moses, My servant, is dead. It is now time to cross over this Jordan River, you, and all the Israelites, into the land which I am giving them. 3Every place where the sole of your foot shall tread, I have given to you, as I promised Moses. 4All the land from the wilderness to Lebanon, to the great river Euphrates to the east, of the Hittites, and to the Great (Mediterranean) Sea to the west, shall be your territory. 5No man shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail nor forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous; for you must lead this people; and you shall divide the land which I promised their fathers to give them, for their inheritance. 7Only be strong and very courageous, and be careful to obey all the law which Moses, My servant, commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. 8Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, and meditate upon it day and night, so that you may do all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and successful. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not fear, nor be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11“Pass through the host, and tell the people, ‘Prepare food supplies; for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit.’” 12And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13“Remember the command that Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave you: ‘The LORD your God has given you rest, and has given you this land. 14Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan; but you, all the mighty men of valor, shall pass over, before your brethren, armed; and are to help them; 15Until the LORD has given your brothers rest, as He has given you, and they have also possessed the land which the LORD your God has given them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession, which Moses gave you on this east side of the Jordan, and enjoy it.’ 16And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us, we will do, and wherever you send us, we will go. 17As we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. May the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18Whoever rebels against your commandment, and will not listen to your words in all that you order him, must be put to death. Only be strong and of a good courage.’”