Deuteronomy 32:28-44

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

²⁸ They are a nation void of sense;
    there is no understanding in them.
²⁹ If they were wise, they would understand this;
    they would discern what their end would be.^(A)
30 How could one have routed a thousand
    and two put a myriad to flight,
unless their Rock had sold them,
    the Lord had given them up?^(B)
31 Indeed, their rock is not like our Rock;
    our enemies are fools.^[a](C)
32 Their vine comes from the vinestock of Sodom,
    from the vineyards of Gomorrah;
their grapes are grapes of poison;
    their clusters are bitter;
³³ their wine is the poison of serpents,
    the cruel venom of asps.^(D)

³⁴ Is not this laid up in store with me,
    sealed up in my treasuries,^(E)
35 for the day of vengeance^[b] and recompense,
    for the time when their foot shall slip?
Because the day of their calamity is at hand;
    their doom comes swiftly.^(F)

³⁶ Indeed, the Lord will vindicate his people,
    have compassion on his servants,
when he sees that their power is gone,
    neither bond nor free remaining.^(G)
37 Then he will say, ‘Where are their gods,
    the rock in which they took refuge,^(H)
38 who ate the fat of their sacrifices
    and drank the wine of their libations?
Let them rise up and help you;
    let them be your protection!

³⁹ See now that I, even I, am he;
    there is no god besides me.
I kill, and I make alive;
    I wound, and I heal;
    and no one can deliver from my hand.^(I)
40 For I lift up my hand to heaven
    and swear, As I live forever,
⁴¹ when I whet my flashing sword
    and my hand takes hold on judgment,
I will take vengeance on my adversaries
    and will repay those who hate me.^(J)
42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood,
    and my sword shall devour flesh—
with the blood of the slain and the captives,
    from the long-haired enemy.’^(K)

⁴³ Praise, O heavens,^[c] his people;
    worship him, all you gods!^[d]
For he will avenge the blood of his children^[e]
    and take vengeance on his adversaries;
he will repay those who hate him^[f]
    and cleanse the land for his people.”^[g](L)