1 And it came to pass after the death of Moses, the servant {eved: devoted servant} of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Guide}, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, the minister of Moses, saying:
2 Moses my servant is dead. Now then, arise and cross over this Jordan—you and all this people—to the land that I {anokhi: Covenant Speaker} am giving to the children of Israel {yis-ra-el: God-Struggler}.
3 Every place where the sole of your feet treads, I {YHWH, Promise Giver} have given {netattiv: assigned as inheritance} it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great River Perath {perat: Euphrates}, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun {mevo hashemesh: western horizon} shall be your border.
5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life; just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I {YHWH, Faithful Preserver} will not leave you or forsake you {e’ezvekha: desert or turn away}.
6 Be strong and courageous, for you will cause this people to inherit the land which I {Yahweh, Covenant-Swearer} swore {nishba‘ti: solemnly vowed} to their fathers to give to them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe and to do all the law {hatorah: Torah instruction} that Moses, My {YHWH, Sovereign Commander} servant commanded you. Do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left, in order that you may succeed wherever you go.
8 This book of the law {torah: covenant teaching} must not leave your mouth; instead, you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may observe {tishmor: careful keeping} to do everything that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will act wisely.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified and do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheikha, Faithful Companion} is with you wherever {bekhol: in every place} you go.
10 And Joshua commanded the officers {shotrei: Administrative Officials} of the people, saying {leimor: Authoritative Announcement},
11 Cross through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, “Prepare for yourselves provision {tseidah: journey food}, for within three days you are crossing this Jordan to come to possess the land which the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheichem, Promise Giver} is giving to you for a possession.”
12 And to the Reubenites {reuveni: eastern clan}, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe {chatsi shevet: divided clan} of Manasseh, Joshua spoke, saying.
13 Remember the word {davar: authoritative instruction} which Moses, the servant of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Leader}, commanded you, saying, “The LORD your God is giving you rest and has given you this land.”
14 Your wives, your children, and your livestock shall dwell in the land that Moses {Mosheh: Deliverer} gave to you east of the Jordan. But you shall cross over armed before your brothers—all mighty men of valor {giborei hayil: Elite Warriors}—and you shall help them.
15 Until the LORD {YHWH, Promise Giver} gives rest to your brothers as to you, and they also inherit the land that the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheikhem, Covenant Giver} gives them. Then you may return to your land of inheritance and possess it, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.
16 And they answered Joshua {Yehoshua: Faithful Leader}, saying, “All that you have commanded us, we will do {na’aseh: Obedient Action}, and wherever you send us, we will go.”
17 Just as we obeyed Moses {Mosheh: leader of Israel} in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Companion} your God be with you as He was with Moses.
18 Every man who rebels against your command {pikha: spoken authority} and does not obey your words in all that you command him shall be put to death. Only be strong {chazak: remain steadfast} and courageous.