Joshua 1:1–9

Encouragement of Joshua

1 After the death of Moses a the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua b son of Nun, c who had served Moses: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. d Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan e to the land I am giving the Israelites. 3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, f just as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon g to the great Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites h—and west to the Mediterranean Sea. i j 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. k I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you. l

6 “Be strong and courageous, m for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. n 7 Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. o Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; p you are to recite q it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. r 9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? s Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”