1. Moses, the Lord's servant, was dead. So the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, who had been the assistant of Moses. The Lord said:
2. My servant Moses is dead. Now you must lead Israel across the River Jordan into the land I'm giving to all of you.
3. Wherever you go, I'll give you that land, as I promised Moses.
4. It will reach from the Southern Desert to the Lebanon Mountains in the north, and to the north-east as far as the great River Euphrates. It will include the land of the Hittites, and the land from here at the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea on the west.
5. Joshua, I will always be with you and help you as I helped Moses, and no one will ever be able to defeat you.
6-8. Long ago I promised the ancestors of Israel that I would give this land to their descendants. So be strong and brave! Be careful to do everything my servant Moses taught you. Never stop reading The Book of the Law he gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says. If you obey it completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land.
9. I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
10. Joshua ordered the tribal leaders
11. to go through the camp and tell everyone:In a few days we will cross the River Jordan to take the land that the Lord our God is giving us. So prepare as much food as you'll need for the march into the land.
12. Joshua told the men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh: