An Exhortation to Obedience

(Deuteronomy 11:1–7)

Hear now, O Israel, 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 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 that I am giving you

3 

Your eyes have seen what the LORD did vvv at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed vvv Baal of Peor. 4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God [are] alive to this day, every one of you.

5 

See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God 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] great enough to have a god [as] near to them as the LORD our God [is to us] whenever we call on Him? 8 And what nation [is] 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 at Horeb,[fn] 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 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[fn] that He wrote on two tablets of stone.

14 

At that time the LORD commanded me to teach you the statutes and ordinances you are to follow in the land that you are crossing [the Jordan] to possess.

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