After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, who had served Moses faithfully.
He said, "Moses my servant is dead. Now rise, you and all these people, and cross the Jordan River into the land I am giving to the Israelites. Every place your foot touches, I will give you, just as I promised Moses.
Your territory will stretch from the desert to Lebanon, from the great river Euphrates to the Hittite country, and to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand against you all your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Be strong and courageous, for you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors. Be strong and very courageous. Obey the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night so that you will do everything written in it. Then you will prosper and succeed. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, "Go through the camp and tell everyone, 'Prepare your supplies. In three days, you will cross the Jordan to possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.'"
To the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, "Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you. The Lord has given you rest and this land. Your wives, children, and livestock may stay here east of the Jordan, but your fighting men must cross over ahead of your brothers to help them until the Lord gives them rest as He has done for you. Then you may return and settle in your own land."
They replied, "Whatever you command, we will do. Wherever you send us, we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. May the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against you and disobeys your command will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."