4 “Now Yisrael, listen to the instructions and regulations that I’ll teach you so that you’ll all go and possess the land that Yahweh, the god of your ancestors, is giving you, and live there. 2 Don’t add or subtract from what I tell you, because you all need to follow the instructions from your god Yahweh that I’m telling you.[ref] 3 You’ve all seen for yourselves what your god Yahweh did at Beyt-Peor, when he destroyed all the men who worshipped Baal there.[ref] 4 However, all of you who faithfully continued to follow your god Yahweh are alive here today.

5 “Listen, I’ve taught you all the instructions and regulations that my god Yahweh commanded me to, for you all to follow in the land that you’re about to enter and occupy. 6 Follow them faithfully because that will lead to wisdom such that people in other countries will notice that this great nation has wisdom and understanding. 7 What other great nation is there that has a god near to it like our god Yahweh is whenever we call out to him for help? 8 Also, what other nation has rules and regulations that are as sensible and fair as these instructions that I’m giving to you all today?

9 “But each of you must take care to guard yourself and your values in case you forget that you’ve seen and those past miracles slip from your minds over the years to come. Yes, make sure that you teach them to your children and your grand-children, 10 including the day when you stood in our god Yahweh’s presence at Mt. Sinai (Horev) when he told me, ‘Assemble the people for me, and I’ll make it so they can hear my words, so they’ll learn to honour and respect for their entire lifetimes, and then teach it to their children.’

11 “So you all approached the mountain and stood at its base while it blazed with fire that went up into the atmosphere even though the mountain was covered with dark, gloomy clouds.[ref] 12 Then Yahweh spoke to you from the middle of the flames—you heard the voice even though you couldn’t see anyone, 13 and he revealed to you the agreement that he demands you keep: the ten commands that he wrote onto two stone tablets.[ref] 14 At that time, Yahweh told me to teach you all the instructions and regulations so you’d be able to put them into practice in the land that you’re about to enter and occupy.[ref]