"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
— Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
Deuteronomy 31:6 is the "be strong and courageous" verse with the promise "he will never leave you nor forsake you." This page gives the verse, where it sits in Deuteronomy 31, and a plain reading. For more verses on the theme, see Bible verses about courage, Bible verses about strength, and Bible verses about fear.
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The verse
The King James says, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
"Be strong" is chazaq (H2388), to grow firm or take hold. "Courageous" is amats (H553), to be bold or steady. "Afraid" is yare (H3372), and "terrified" is arats (H6206), to tremble or dread. "Leave" (KJV "fail") is raphah (H7503), to let drop or let go. "Forsake" is azab (H5800), to abandon.
Where it sits in Deuteronomy 31
Moses is near the end of his life. He tells Israel, "I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you" (Deuteronomy 31:2), and that "the LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you" into the land (Deuteronomy 31:3).
Verse 6 is spoken to the whole people. Right after it, Moses turns to Joshua in front of everyone and says the same thing to him: "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8). God repeats it to Joshua in Joshua 1:9.
What the verse is saying
The command to be strong does not rest on Israel's own strength. The reason is in the second half: the LORD goes with you, and he will not let you go or walk away from you. Courage here comes from who is with you, not from feeling brave.
The promise outlived the moment. Hebrews quotes it to tell believers to be content: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). For more, see Isaiah 41:10, Bible verses about God's presence, and Bible verses about trust.
Questions people ask
What does Deuteronomy 31:6 say?
In the NIV it says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." The KJV says, "he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Who was Deuteronomy 31:6 spoken to?
Moses spoke it to the people of Israel before they crossed into the promised land. Two verses later he said nearly the same words to Joshua, who would lead them (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).
What does "never leave you nor forsake you" mean?
"Leave" is the Hebrew raphah, to let drop or let go, and "forsake" is azab, to abandon. God promises not to loosen his hold on his people or walk away from them.
Is Deuteronomy 31:6 the same as Joshua 1:9?
They are close. Deuteronomy 31:6 is Moses speaking to Israel. Joshua 1:9 is God speaking to Joshua: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
What verse goes well with Deuteronomy 31:6?
Hebrews 13:5 repeats its promise, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you."
