Deuteronomy 1:1-21 ▼

1 These are the words that Moses (drawn out) spoke to all Israel (he wrestles with God) in the wilderness east of the Jordan (flowing down)—in the Arabah opposite Suph (sea weed)—between Paran (place of caverns) and Tophel (white), Laban, Hazeroth (settlement), and Dizahab (enough gold).

2 It is an eleven-day journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai) to Kadesh-barnea (holy) by way of Mount Seir (shaggy).

3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses (drawn out) proclaimed to the Israelites (God prevails) all that the LORD {YHWH} had commanded him concerning them.

4 This was after he had defeated Sihon (warrior) king of the Amorites (sayers), who lived in Heshbon (stronghold), and then at Edrei had defeated (good pasture) Og (long-necked) king of Bashan (fruitful), who lived in Ashtaroth (star).

5 On the east side of the Jordan (flowing down) in the land of Moab (of his father), Moses (drawn out) began to explain this law, saying:

6 The LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} said to us at Horeb (desert): “You⁺ have stayed at this mountain long enough.

7 Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites (sayers); go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills {Shephelah}, in the Negev (southland), and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites (merchants) and to Lebanon (whiteness), as far as the great River Euphrates (fruitfulness).

8 See, I have placed the land before you⁺. Enter and possess the land that the LORD {YHWH} swore He would give to your⁺ fathers Abraham (father of many), Isaac (he laughs), and Jacob (he grasps the heel), and to their descendants after them.”

9 At that time I said to you⁺, “I cannot carry the burden for you⁺ alone.

10 The LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} has multiplied you⁺, so that today you⁺ are as numerous as the stars in the sky.

11 May the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of your⁺ fathers, increase you⁺ a thousand times over and bless you⁺ as He has promised.

12 But how can I bear your⁺ troubles, burdens (burden), and disputes all by myself?

13 Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your⁺ tribes, and I will appoint them as your⁺ leaders.”

14 And you⁺ answered me and said, “What you propose to do is good.”

15 So I took the leaders of your⁺ tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you⁺—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your⁺ tribes.

16 At that time I charged your⁺ judges: “Hear the disputes between your⁺ brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident.

17 Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God {Elohim}. And bring to me any case too difficult for you⁺, and I will hear it.”

18 And at that time I commanded you⁺ all the things you⁺ were to do.

19 And just as the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} had commanded us, we set out from Horeb (desert) and went toward the hill country of the Amorites (sayers), through all the vast and terrifying wilderness you⁺ have seen. When we reached Kadesh-barnea (holy),

20 I said: “You⁺ have reached the hill country of the Amorites (sayers), which the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} is giving us.

21 See, the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} has placed the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”