Deuteronomy 3:18-4:14

New International Version

¹⁸ I commanded you at that time: “The Lord your God has given^(A) you this land to take possession of it. But all your able-bodied men, armed for battle, must cross over ahead of the other Israelites.^{(B) 19} However, your wives,^(C) your children and your livestock^(D) (I know you have much livestock) may stay in the towns I have given you, ²⁰ until the Lord gives rest to your fellow Israelites as he has to you, and they too have taken over the land that the Lord your God is giving them across the Jordan. After that, each of you may go back to the possession I have given you.”

Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan

²¹ At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. ²² Do not be afraid^(E) of them;^(F) the Lord your God himself will fight^(G) for you.”

²³ At that time I pleaded^(H) with the Lord: ²⁴ “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness^(I) and your strong hand. For what god^(J) is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works^(K) you do?^{(L) 25} Let me go over and see the good land^(M) beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.^(N)”

²⁶ But because of you the Lord was angry^(O) with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. ²⁷ Go up to the top of Pisgah^(P) and look west and north and south and east.^(Q) Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross^(R) this Jordan.^{(S) 28} But commission^(T) Joshua, and encourage^(U) and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across^(V) and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” ²⁹ So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor.^(W)

Obedience Commanded

4 Now, Israel, hear the decrees^(X) and laws I am about to teach^(Y) you. Follow them so that you may live^(Z) and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. ² Do not add^(AA) to what I command you and do not subtract^(AB) from it, but keep^(AC) the commands^(AD) of the Lord your God that I give you.

³ You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor.^(AE) The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, ⁴ but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today.

⁵ See, I have taught^(AF) you decrees and laws^(AG) as the Lord my God commanded^(AH) me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering^(AI) to take possession of it. ⁶ Observe^(AJ) them carefully, for this will show your wisdom^(AK) and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”^{(AL) 7} What other nation is so great^(AM) as to have their gods near^(AN) 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^(AO) as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

⁹ Only be careful,^(AP) 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^(AQ) them to your children^(AR) and to their children after them. ¹⁰ Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb,^(AS) when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn^(AT) to revere^(AU) me as long as they live in the land^(AV) and may teach^(AW) them to their children.” ¹¹ You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain^(AX) while it blazed with fire^(AY) to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.^{(AZ) 12} Then the Lord spoke^(BA) to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form;^(BB) there was only a voice.^{(BC) 13} He declared to you his covenant,^(BD) the Ten Commandments,^(BE) which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. ¹⁴ And the Lord directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws^(BF) you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.