¹⁸ So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership,^[a](A) and lay your hand on him.^(B)

¹⁹ Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him^(A) in their presence.^(B)

²² Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly.

²³ Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him,^(A) as the Lord instructed through Moses.

Israel’s Rebellion Predicted

¹⁴ The Lord said to Moses, “Now the day of your death^(A) is near. Call Joshua^(B) and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him.^(C)” So Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting.^(D)

²³ The Lord gave this command^(A) to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous,^(B) for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

Joshua Installed as Leader

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord,^(A) the Lord said to Joshua^(B) son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River^(C) into the land^(D) I am about to give to them^(E)—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot,^(F) as I promised Moses.^{(G) 4} Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon,^(H) and from the great river, the Euphrates^(I)—all the Hittite^(J) country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.^{(K) 5} No one will be able to stand against you^(L) all the days of your life. As I was with^(M) Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake^(N) you. ⁶ Be strong^(O) and courageous,^(P) because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors^(Q) to give them.

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey^(R) all the law^(S) my servant Moses^(T) gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left,^(U) that you may be successful wherever you go.^{(V) 8} Keep this Book of the Law^(W) always on your lips;^(X) meditate^(Y) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.^{(Z) 9} Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;^(AA) do not be discouraged,^(AB) for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”^(AC)