Deuteronomy 4:1-13 ▼

1 Hear now, O Israel (he wrestles with God), the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you⁺ to follow, so that you⁺ may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of your⁺ fathers, is giving you⁺.

2 You⁺ must not add to or subtract from what I command you⁺, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} that I am giving you⁺.

3 Your⁺ eyes have seen what the LORD {YHWH} did at Baal-peor (lord of the gap), for the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor.

4 But you⁺ who held fast to the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem} are alive to this day, every one of you⁺.

5 See, I have taught you⁺ statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God {YHWH Elohay} has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you⁺ are about to enter and possess.

6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your⁺ wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

7 For what nation is (nations) great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD {YHWH} our God is to us whenever we call on Him?

8 And what nation is (nations) great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you⁺ today?

9 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.

10 The day you stood before the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} at Horeb (Mount Sinai), the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”

11 You⁺ came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.

12 And the LORD {YHWH} spoke to you⁺ out of the fire. You⁺ heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.

13 He declared to you⁺ His covenant, which He commanded you⁺ to follow—the Ten Commandments \the Ten Words/ that He wrote on two tablets of stone.