A modern English translation drawn directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Translated word-for-word where possible, by a committee with scholarly oversight.
Uses the same source texts as the ESV, NASB, and most academic Bibles, including the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and the Nestle-Aland critical edition.
Joshua 1
Joshua 1 is the opening chapter of the sixth book of the Bible. The 18-verse chapter records God's commissioning of Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, following Moses' death.
The chapter opens with Moses just dead and Joshua taking over. God speaks to Joshua, transferring the leadership directly. The command is to cross the Jordan and take possession of the land God swore to give the Israelites. God promises that every place Joshua's foot treads will be his, and that no enemy will be able to stand against him.
The famous core of the chapter is a repeated charge to be strong and courageous. God repeats the command three times in the opening verses. Joshua is told to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night, to be careful to obey everything written in it, and that prosperity and success will follow obedience.
Joshua then takes command. He orders the officers of the people to prepare provisions, telling them that in three days they will cross the Jordan. He addresses the eastern tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, reminding them of their commitment to fight alongside the others until the western tribes have received their inheritance.
The chapter closes with the eastern tribes' answer. They agree to follow Joshua as they followed Moses, and they too tell him to be strong and courageous.
Verse 1. Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying,
Verse 2. “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel.
Verse 3. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses.
Verse 4. Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea.
Verse 5. No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Verse 6. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them.
Verse 7. Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
Verse 8. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
Verse 9. Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Verse 10. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people:
Verse 11. “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
Verse 12. But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
Verse 13. “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’
Verse 14. Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them,
Verse 15. until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”
Verse 16. So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.
Verse 17. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.
Verse 18. Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”
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