Deuteronomy 4:1-8

New International Reader's Version

Obey the Lord

4 Now, Israel, listen to the rules and laws I’m going to teach you. Obey them and you will live. You will go in and take over the land. The Lord was the God of your people of long ago. He’s giving you the land. ² Don’t add to what I’m commanding you. Don’t subtract from it either. Instead, obey the commands of the Lord your God that I’m giving you.

³ Your own eyes saw what the Lord your God did at Baal Peor. He destroyed every one of your people who worshiped the Baal that was worshiped at Peor. ⁴ But all of you who remained true to the Lord your God are still alive today.

⁵ I have taught you rules and laws, just as the Lord my God commanded me. Obey them in the land you are entering to take as your very own. ⁶ Be careful to keep them. That will show the nations how wise and understanding you are. They will hear about all these rules. They’ll say, “That great nation certainly has wise and understanding people.” ⁷ The Lord our God is near us every time we pray to him. What other nation is great enough to have its gods that close to them? ⁸ I’m giving you the laws of the Lord today. What other nation is great enough to have rules and laws as fair as these?