“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;”
Therefore, be very strong to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, without turning aside to the right hand or to the left — Joshua's exhortation focuses on covenant law-keeping. The phrase 'book of the law of Moses' (sēper tôrat-mōšeh) indicates authoritative written tradition; covenant law is textual, not merely oral. The imagery of not turning 'to the right hand or to the left' (ad-yāmîn wĕad-śemōʾl) suggests strict adherence, no deviation. Theologically, Joshua frames future possession as contingent on law-keeping; covenant promise operates within the framework of covenant obligation.
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