¹³ The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow^(A) them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.^(B)

Blessings for Obedience

28 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow^(A) all his commands^(B) I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.^(C)

⁶ Observe^(A) them carefully, for this will show your wisdom^(B) and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”^{(C) 7} What other nation is so great^(D) as to have their gods near^(E) them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? ⁸ And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws^(F) as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

⁹ Only be careful,^(G) and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach^(H) them to your children^(I) and to their children after them.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy^(A) of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm^(B) in the one Spirit,^[a] striving together^(C) as one for the faith of the gospel