The Amalekites Defeated

⁸ The Amalekites^(A) came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.^{(B) 9} Moses said to Joshua,^(C) “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff^(D) of God in my hands.”

¹⁰ So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur^(E) went to the top of the hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning,^(F) but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. ¹² When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.^{(G) 13} So Joshua overcame the Amalekite^(H) army with the sword.

¹¹ The Lord would speak to Moses face to face,^(A) as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua^(B) son of Nun did not leave the tent.

¹⁶ These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore^(A) the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun^(B) the name Joshua.)^(C)

⁶ Joshua son of Nun^(A) and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes^{(B) 7} and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.^{(C) 8} If the Lord is pleased with us,^(D) he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey,^(E) and will give it to us.^{(F) 9} Only do not rebel^(G) against the Lord. And do not be afraid^(H) of the people of the land,^(I) because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with^(J) us.^(K) Do not be afraid of them.”^(L)

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^(C) in their presence.^{(D) 20} Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.^{(E) 21} He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring^(F) of the Urim^(G) before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”

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,^(H) as the Lord instructed through Moses.

² “I am now a hundred and twenty years old^(A) and I am no longer able to lead you.^(B) The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’^{(C) 3} The Lord your God himself will cross^(D) over ahead of you.^(E) He will destroy these nations^(F) before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross^(G) over ahead of you, as the Lord said. ⁴ And the Lord will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og,^(H) the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. ⁵ The Lord will deliver^(I) them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous.^(J) Do not be afraid or terrified^(K) because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;^(L) he will never leave you^(M) nor forsake^(N) you.”

⁷ Then Moses summoned Joshua and said^(O) to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them,^(P) and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. ⁸ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;^(Q) he will never leave you nor forsake you.^(R) Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Ephraim