While the Israelites were in the land of Moab east of the Jordan River, Moses carefully explained the Lord’s instructions as follows.

And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.’

Give these orders to the people: “You will pass through the country belonging to your relatives the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. The Edomites will feel threatened, so be careful.

Moses Urges Israel to Obey

“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

A Warning against Idolatry

“But be very careful! You did not see the Lord’s form on the day he spoke to you from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai.

So be careful not to break the covenant the Lord your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the Lord your God has forbidden this.

Ten Commandments for the Covenant Community

Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, “Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!

So Moses told the people, “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail.

Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

A Call to Remember and Obey

“Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

“But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.

and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful!

“Your children didn’t see how the Lord cared for you in the wilderness until you arrived here.

The Blessings of Obedience

“Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.

a land that the Lord your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year!

“If you carefully obey the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul,

“But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods.

“Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.

you must be careful to obey all the decrees and regulations I am giving you today.

The Lord’s Chosen Place for Worship

“These are the decrees and regulations you must be careful to obey when you live in the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You must obey them as long as you live.

Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings just anywhere you like.

And be very careful never to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord your God.