Preparations for the Conquest of Canaan

11 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord , that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun , Moses' [1]servant , saying , 2 "Moses My servant is dead ; now therefore arise , cross this Jordan , you and all this people , to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel . 3 " Every place on which the sole of your foot treads , I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses . 4 " From the wilderness and this Lebanon , even as far as the great river , the river Euphrates , all the land of the Hittites , and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory . 5 " No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life . Just as I have been with Moses , I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 " Be strong and courageous , for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 "Only be strong and very courageous ; [2] be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left , so that you may [3]have success wherever e you go . 8 " This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth , but you shall meditate on it day and night , so that you may [4]be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous , and then you will [5]have success . 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous ! Do not tremble or be dismayed , for the Lord your God is with you wherever e you go ."

10 Then 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 go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you, to possess it.' " 12 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe e of Manasseh , Joshua [6]said , 13 "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying , ' The Lord your God gives you rest and will give you this land .' 14 "Your wives , your little ones , and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan , but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array , all your valiant warriors , and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives your brothers rest , as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to [7]your own land , and possess [8]that which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise e ."

16 They answered Joshua , saying , "All that you have commanded us we will do , and wherever e e you send us we will go . 17 "Just e as we obeyed Moses in all things , so we will obey you; only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses . 18 "Anyone e who rebels against your [9]command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death ; only be strong and courageous ."