OET-RV DEU Chapter 10

10 After that, Yahweh told me, “Carve out two stone tablets like the first ones, and make a wooden chest to put them in, then come up to me on the mountain. 2 I’ll write the words onto the tablets that were on the first tablets that you broke, then you can put them into the box.”

3 So I made a box from acacia wood, and I carved out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I went up the mountain carrying the two tablets 4 and he wrote the ten instructions on the tablets like the first time—the same words that Yahweh had spoken to you from the fire on the mountain on the day of the assembly. Then he gave me the tablets 5 and I turned and went down the mountain. I put the tablets into the box that I’d made, just like Yahweh had told me to.

6 Then the Israelis travelled from Beerot-Bene-Yaakan[fn] to Moserah[fn] where Aharon died. He was buried there, and his son Eleazar replaced him as chief priest.[ref] 7 From there they moved on to Gudgodah, then from there onto Yotbatah—an area with many streams. 8 At that time, Yahweh chose the tribe of Levi to carry the box containing Yahweh’s agreement, and to stand in Yahweh’s presence to serve and worship him, until this day.[ref] 9 That’s why the Levites didn’t receive land in the same way as the other tribes as Yahweh told them that he is their inheritance. 10 I myself stayed up on the mountain for forty days and nights just like the first time. Yahweh listened to me that time as well, and said that he wouldn’t destroy you.[ref] 11 Then Yahweh told me, “Continue your journey leading the people to enter and occupy the land that I promised their ancestors that I’d give them.

12 Now Yisrael, your god Yahweh expects you honour him and to follow his instructions and to love him, and to serve him with sincerity and with energy—13 obeying his rules and regulations that I’m giving you today for the benefit of the country. 14 Listen, the highest heavens belong to your god Yahweh, as well as the earth and everything on it, 15 yet he decided to show love to your ancestors, and as their descendants, he chose you all out from all the peoples as you know to this day. 16 You all must eradicate your rebelliousness and stop being stubborn, 17 because your god Yahweh is god of gods and master of masters—the very powerful and awesome one who doesn’t judge by looks and doesn’t accept bribes.[ref] 18 He delivers fair judgements for the fatherless and for widows, and shows love towards foreigners—giving them food and clothing, 19 so you all must show love to foreigners too because you all were foreigners when you were in Egypt. 20 You must honour your god Yahweh and serve him. Rely on him and only make promises with his authority. 21 He’s the one you should praise. He’s your god who’s done powerful miracles on your behalf which you saw with your own eyes. 22 When your ancestors went down to Egypt, there was only seventy of them, but now your god Yahweh has increased your population like the stars in number.[ref]