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The Covenant Renewed in Moab

29 [a] These are the words of the covenant that the Lord commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel (A)in the land of Moab, besides (B)the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb.

[b] And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: (C)“You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, the great (D)trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. But to this day (E)the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear. (F)I have led you for forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet. (G)You have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine or strong drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God. And when you came to this place, (H)Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out against us to battle, but we defeated them. We took their land and (I)gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites. (J)Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper[c] in all that you do.

10 “You are standing today all of you before the Lord your God: the heads of your tribes,[d] your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel, 11 your little ones, your wives, and the (K)sojourner who is in your camp, from (L)the one who chops your wood to the one who draws your water, 12 so that you may enter into the (M)sworn covenant of the Lord your God, which the Lord your God is making with you today, 13 that he may (N)establish you today as his people, and that (O)he may be your God, as he promised you, and (P)as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 14 It is not with you alone (Q)that I am making this sworn covenant, 15 but with whoever is standing here with us today before the Lord our God, (R)and with whoever is not here with us today.

16 “You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. 17 And you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them. 18 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you (S)a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, 19 one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. 20 The Lord will not be willing to forgive him, but rather (T)the anger of the Lord and (U)his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the Lord (V)will blot out his name from under heaven. 21 And the Lord will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for calamity, in accordance with all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law. 22 And the next generation, your children who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, (W)will say, when they see the afflictions of that land and the sicknesses with which the Lord has made it sick— 23 the whole land burned out with brimstone and (X)salt, nothing sown and nothing growing, where no plant can sprout, (Y)an overthrow like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, (Z)Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger and wrath— 24 all the nations (AA)will say, (AB)‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land? What caused the heat of this great anger?’ 25 Then people will say, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the Lord, the God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26 and went and served other gods and worshipped them, gods whom they had not known and whom he had not allotted to them. 27 Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, (AC)bringing upon it all the curses written in this book, 28 and the Lord (AD)uprooted them from their land in anger and fury and great wrath, and (AE)cast them into another land, as they are this day.’

29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 29:1 Ch 28:69 in Hebrew
  2. Deuteronomy 29:2 Ch 29:1 in Hebrew
  3. Deuteronomy 29:9 Or deal wisely
  4. Deuteronomy 29:10 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew your heads, your tribes

Renewal of the Covenant

29 [a]These are the terms of the covenant the Lord commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in Moab,(A) in addition to the covenant he had made with them at Horeb.(B)

Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them:

Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land.(C) With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders.(D) But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.(E) Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led(F) you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.(G) You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink.(H) I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.”(I)

When you reached this place, Sihon(J) king of Heshbon(K) and Og king of Bashan came out to fight against us, but we defeated them.(L) We took their land and gave it as an inheritance(M) to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh.(N)

Carefully follow(O) the terms of this covenant,(P) so that you may prosper in everything you do.(Q) 10 All of you are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God—your leaders and chief men, your elders and officials, and all the other men of Israel, 11 together with your children and your wives, and the foreigners living in your camps who chop your wood and carry your water.(R) 12 You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God, a covenant the Lord is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, 13 to confirm you this day as his people,(S) that he may be your God(T) as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 14 I am making this covenant,(U) with its oath, not only with you 15 who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God but also with those who are not here today.(V)

16 You yourselves know how we lived in Egypt and how we passed through the countries on the way here. 17 You saw among them their detestable images and idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold.(W) 18 Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns(X) away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.(Y)

19 When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing(Z) on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,”(AA) they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. 20 The Lord will never be willing to forgive(AB) them; his wrath and zeal(AC) will burn(AD) against them. All the curses written in this book will fall on them, and the Lord will blot(AE) out their names from under heaven. 21 The Lord will single them out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster,(AF) according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.(AG)

22 Your children who follow you in later generations and foreigners who come from distant lands will see the calamities that have fallen on the land and the diseases with which the Lord has afflicted it.(AH) 23 The whole land will be a burning waste(AI) of salt(AJ) and sulfur—nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah,(AK) Admah and Zeboyim, which the Lord overthrew in fierce anger.(AL) 24 All the nations will ask: “Why has the Lord done this to this land?(AM) Why this fierce, burning anger?”

25 And the answer will be: “It is because this people abandoned the covenant of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the covenant he made with them when he brought them out of Egypt.(AN) 26 They went off and worshiped other gods and bowed down to them, gods they did not know, gods he had not given them. 27 Therefore the Lord’s anger burned against this land, so that he brought on it all the curses written in this book.(AO) 28 In furious anger and in great wrath(AP) the Lord uprooted(AQ) them from their land and thrust them into another land, as it is now.”

29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God,(AR) but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.(AS)

Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 29:1 In Hebrew texts 29:1 is numbered 28:69, and 29:2-29 is numbered 29:1-28.

Zayin

49 Remember (A)your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me (B)hope.
50 This is (C)my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise (D)gives me life.
51 (E)The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not (F)turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O Lord.
53 (G)Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my (H)sojourning.
55 I (I)remember your name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
    that (J)I have kept your precepts.

Heth

57 (K)The Lord is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
58 I (L)entreat your favour with all my heart;
    be gracious to me (M)according to your promise.
59 When I (N)think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
61 Though (O)the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not (P)forget your law.
62 At (Q)midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your (R)righteous rules.
63 (S)I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
64 (T)The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
    (U)teach me your statutes!

Teth

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, (V)according to your word.
66 Teach me (W)good judgement and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
67 (X)Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
68 (Y)You are good and do good;
    (Z)teach me your statutes.
69 (AA)The insolent (AB)smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I (AC)keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling (AD)like fat,
    but I (AE)delight in your law.
71 It is (AF)good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
72 (AG)The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

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ז Zayin

49 Remember your word(A) to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.(B)
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.(C)
51 The arrogant mock me(D) unmercifully,
    but I do not turn(E) from your law.
52 I remember,(F) Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me(G) because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.(H)
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song(I)
    wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember(J) your name,
    that I may keep your law.(K)
56 This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.(L)

ח Heth

57 You are my portion,(M) Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.(N)
58 I have sought(O) your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me(P) according to your promise.(Q)
59 I have considered my ways(R)
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.(S)
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget(T) your law.
62 At midnight(U) I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.(V)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(W)
    to all who follow your precepts.(X)
64 The earth is filled with your love,(Y) Lord;
    teach me your decrees.(Z)

ט Teth

65 Do good(AA) to your servant
    according to your word,(AB) Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge(AC) and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted(AD) I went astray,(AE)
    but now I obey your word.(AF)
68 You are good,(AG) and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.(AH)
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,(AI)
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous(AJ) and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted(AK)
    so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.(AL)

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Salvation for Foreigners

56 Thus says the Lord:
“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
(A)for soon my salvation will come,
    and my deliverance be revealed.
Blessed is the man who does this,
    and the son of man who holds it fast,
(B)who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it,
    and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
Let not (C)the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,
    “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”;
and let not the eunuch say,
    “Behold, I am (D)a dry tree.”
For thus says the Lord:
“To the eunuchs (E)who keep my Sabbaths,
    who choose the things that please me
    and hold fast my covenant,
(F)I will give in my house and within my walls
    a (G)monument and a name
    better than sons and daughters;
(H)I will give them an everlasting name
    that shall not be cut off.
“And (I)the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
    to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
    and to be his servants,
everyone (J)who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,
    and holds fast my covenant—
(K)these I will bring to (L)my holy mountain,
    and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
(M)their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
    will be accepted on my altar;
for (N)my house shall be called a house of prayer
    for all peoples.”
The Lord God,
    (O)who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares,
(P)“I will gather yet others to him
    besides those already gathered.”

Israel's Irresponsible Leaders

(Q)All you beasts of the field, come to devour—
    all you beasts in the forest.
10 (R)His watchmen are blind;
    they are all without knowledge;
they are all silent (S)dogs;
    they cannot bark,
dreaming, lying down,
    loving to slumber.
11 (T)The dogs have a mighty appetite;
    they never have enough.
But (U)they are shepherds who have no understanding;
    they have all turned to their own way,
    (V)each to his own gain, one and all.
12 (W)“Come,” they say, “let me get wine;
    let us fill ourselves with strong drink;
(X)and tomorrow will be like this day,
    great beyond measure.”

Salvation for Others

56 This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice(A)
    and do what is right,(B)
for my salvation(C) is close at hand
    and my righteousness(D) will soon be revealed.
Blessed(E) is the one who does this—
    the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath(F) without desecrating it,
    and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”

Let no foreigner(G) who is bound to the Lord say,
    “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”(H)
And let no eunuch(I) complain,
    “I am only a dry tree.”

For this is what the Lord says:

“To the eunuchs(J) who keep my Sabbaths,
    who choose what pleases me
    and hold fast to my covenant(K)
to them I will give within my temple and its walls(L)
    a memorial(M) and a name
    better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name(N)
    that will endure forever.(O)
And foreigners(P) who bind themselves to the Lord
    to minister(Q) to him,
to love the name(R) of the Lord,
    and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath(S) without desecrating it
    and who hold fast to my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain(T)
    and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices(U)
    will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
    a house of prayer for all nations.(V)(W)
The Sovereign Lord declares—
    he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather(X) still others to them
    besides those already gathered.”

God’s Accusation Against the Wicked

Come, all you beasts of the field,(Y)
    come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!
10 Israel’s watchmen(Z) are blind,
    they all lack knowledge;(AA)
they are all mute dogs,
    they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
    they love to sleep.(AB)
11 They are dogs with mighty appetites;
    they never have enough.
They are shepherds(AC) who lack understanding;(AD)
    they all turn to their own way,(AE)
    they seek their own gain.(AF)
12 “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine!(AG)
    Let us drink our fill of beer!
And tomorrow will be like today,
    or even far better.”(AH)