1:9a

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous?: This is a rhetorical question. It functions as a strong statement and emphasizes a fact that is true.

There are two ways to translate this statement:

• Use a question, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

• Use a strong statement. For example:

I have commanded you, be strong and courageous (God’s Word)
-or-
I repeat, be strong and brave (NET Bible)
-or-
Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident (Good News Translation)

Translate this in a way that is natural in your language to express a strong statement.

be strong and courageous: The Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be strong and courageous are the same as in verse 1:6a. You should translate them the same way in both places. Yahweh commanded Joshua “be strong and courageous” in 1:6a and 1:7a, and he repeated the command here.

1:9b

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged: These two negative commands have the same meaning as the positive commands in 1:9a. This is a way to emphasize those commands. The command Do not be afraid has the same meaning as the command do not be discouraged. In some languages it may not be natural to use two verbs that have the same meaning.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Do not be at all frightened
-or-
Do not be frightened, but be brave

1:9c

for the LORD your God is with you: The phrase the LORD your God is another way to refer to Yahweh. The word for God is added to the personal name of Yahweh. This title for Yahweh indicates that Yahweh is the God whom Joshua worships.

As it is Yahweh who is speaking, another way to translate this isː

⌊I,⌋ Yahweh your God, am with you (sing.)

is with you: This refers to the time when Yahweh was talking to Joshua. It is also a promise for the future. You could translate this “will be with you” if that would be more natural in your language.

you: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translate as you is singular. It refers to Joshua.

wherever you go: The phrase wherever you go is the same phrase as is used at the end of verse 7d.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

I, Yahweh your God, am with you in all you do (NET Bible)
-or-
I am Yahweh your God. I will be with you everywhere you go

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