Joshua 1 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

After the death of Moses, Yahweh's servant, Yahweh spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant:

"Moses my servant is dead. Now get up and cross the Jordan River -- you and all these people -- into the land I'm giving to the Israelites.

Every place your foot steps, I've given it to you -- just as I promised Moses.

Your territory will stretch from the wilderness in the south to Lebanon in the north, and from the great Euphrates River -- all the Hittite land -- to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I'll be with you the same way I was with Moses -- I won't let you down and I won't walk away from you.

Be strong and courageous, because you're the one who will lead these people to take possession of the land I swore to give their ancestors.

Just be strong and very courageous. Be careful to follow all the instructions that Moses my servant gave you. Don't turn from them to the right or to the left, so that you'll succeed wherever you go.

Never stop talking about this book of instructions. Think deeply about it day and night so that you're careful to do everything written in it. Then you'll be prosperous and you'll succeed.

Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid and don't be discouraged, because Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go."

Then Joshua gave orders to the officers of the people:

"Go through the camp and tell the people: 'Get your supplies ready, because in three days you're going to cross this Jordan River to go in and take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you.'"

Then Joshua said to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh:

"Remember what Moses, Yahweh's servant, commanded you: 'Yahweh your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.'

Your wives, your children, and your livestock can stay in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your fighting men must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites, ready for battle, and help them

until Yahweh gives your brothers rest too, just like he's given you, and they also take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving them. Then you can go back to your own land and settle down in the territory that Moses, Yahweh's servant, gave you on the east side of the Jordan."

They answered Joshua: "Everything you've commanded us, we'll do. Wherever you send us, we'll go.

We'll obey you just like we obeyed Moses in everything. We just ask that Yahweh your God be with you the way he was with Moses.

Anyone who rebels against your authority and doesn't obey your words -- whatever you command -- that person will be put to death. Just be strong and courageous!"