Deuteronomy 1:1-13 ▼

1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea.

3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, in accordance with everything that the LORD had commanded him to declare to them,

4 after he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in Edrei.

5 Across the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this Law, saying,

6 “The LORD our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain.

7 Turn and set out on your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the Negev, by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

8 See, I have placed the land before you; go in and take possession of the land which the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and their descendants after them.’

9 “And I spoke to you at that time, saying, ‘I am not able to endure you alone.

10 The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are this day like the stars of heaven in number.

11 May the LORD, the God of your fathers increase you a thousand times more than you are, and bless you, just as He has promised you!

12 How can I alone endure the burden and weight of you and your strife?

13 Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’