Dual PanelPrelude to the conquest of Canaan
1AFTER the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
2“Now that my servant Moses is dead, get ready to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to the Israelites.
3Every place where you set foot is yours: I have given it to you, as I promised Moses.
4From the desert and this Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates, and across all the Hittite country westwards to the Great Sea, all of it is to be your territory.
5As long as you live no one will be able to stand against you: as I was with Moses, so shall I be with you; I shall not fail you or forsake you.
6Be strong, be resolute; it is you who are to put this people in possession of the land which I swore to their forefathers I would give them.
7Only be very strong and resolute. Observe diligently all the law which my servant Moses has given you; if you would succeed wherever you go, you must not swerve from it either to right or to left.
8This book of the law must never be off your lips; you must keep it in mind day and night so that you may diligently observe everything that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful in everything you do.
9This is my command: be strong, be resolute; do not be fearful or discouraged, for wherever you go the LORD your God is with you.”
10Then Joshua instructed the officers
11to pass through the camp and give this order to the people: “Get food ready to take with you, for within three days you will be crossing this Jordan to occupy the country which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.”
12To the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
13“Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded when he said, ‘The LORD your God will grant you security here and will give you this territory.’
14Your wives and dependants and your livestock may stay east of the Jordan in the territory which Moses has assigned you; but as for yourselves, all the warriors among you must cross over as a fighting force at the head of your kinsmen. You are to assist them,
15until the LORD grants them security like you have, and they too take possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. You may then return and occupy the land which is your possession, the territory which Moses the servant of the LORD has assigned you east of the Jordan.”
16They answered Joshua, “Whatever you tell us, we shall do; wherever you send us, we shall go.
17As we obeyed Moses in all things, so shall we obey you; and may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses!
18Anyone who rebels against your command, and fails to carry out all your orders, is to be put to death. Only be strong and resolute.”