7 I was 40 years old when Moses the Lord’s servant sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report. y 8 My brothers who went with me caused the people’s hearts to melt with fear, but I remained loyal to the Lord my God. z 9 On that day Moses promised me: ‘The land where you have set foot will be an inheritance for you and your descendants forever, because you have remained loyal to the Lord my God.’ a

10 “As you see, the Lord has kept me alive these 45 years as He promised, b since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, 85 years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and for daily tasks c is now as it was then. d 12 Now give me this hill country the Lord promised me on that day, because you heard then that the Anakim are there, e as well as large fortified cities. f Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised.”