Chapter 1
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 Jordan River 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 northeast as far as the great Euphrates River. It will include the land of the Hittites, and the land from here at the Jordan River 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 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.
7 Joshua ordered the tribal leaders
8 to go through the camp and tell everyone: In a few days we will cross the Jordan River 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.
9 Joshua told the men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh:
10 conquer the land that the Lord is giving them. The Lord will give peace to them as he has given peace to you, and then you can come back and settle here in the land that Moses promised you.
11 The men answered: We’ll cross the Jordan River and help our relatives. We’ll fight anywhere you send us.