Deuteronomy

Moses recounts the Israelites' journey from Horeb to Kadeshbarnea, where they were instructed by God to take possession of the land of Canaan. However, the Israelites were afraid and refused to obey, despite Moses' reassurance that God would fight for them. As a result, God was angry and swore that none of the current generation would enter the promised land, except for Caleb, who had wholly followed the Lord.

The Israelites journeyed through the wilderness by the Red Sea and were instructed by God not to meddle with the children of Esau or the Moabites, as He had given their lands to them as possessions. The Israelites were allowed to buy food and water from them but were not to engage in battle. After 38 years, the generation of men of war had been consumed, and God instructed the Israelites to pass through the land of Moab and not to distress the children of Ammon. God then gave the Israelites the land of Sihon, king of Heshbon, and they defeated him and his people, taking their cities and spoils.

The Israelites defeated Og, the king of Bashan, and his people, and took control of his kingdom, which included 60 cities and the region of Argob. The Israelites then divided the conquered land among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. Moses reminded the Reubenites and Gadites of their promise to fight alongside the rest of the Israelites until they had taken possession of their own land. Moses also encouraged Joshua, who would lead the Israelites in the future, and was himself denied permission by God to enter the Promised Land, but was allowed to see it from the top of Mount Pisgah.

Moses instructs the Israelites to follow God's statutes and judgments, warning them not to add to or subtract from them, and to remember the covenant God made with them at Horeb. He reminds them of the day God spoke to them out of the fire, declaring the Ten Commandments, and warns them against making idols or worshiping other gods. Moses also reminds them of God's deliverance from Egypt and his promise to give them the land, but warns that if they forget the covenant and worship other gods, they will be destroyed and scattered among the nations. However, if they seek God with all their heart and soul, they will find him and he will not forsake them.

Moses reminds the Israelites of the covenant God made with them at Horeb, where God spoke to them face to face out of the fire. God gave them the Ten Commandments, which include having no other gods before Him, not making graven images, not taking His name in vain, keeping the Sabbath, honoring parents, and not committing murder, adultery, theft, or bearing false witness. The Israelites were afraid to hear God's voice and asked Moses to act as an intermediary, which God agreed to, and He instructed Moses to teach the people His commandments and statutes.

The Israelites are commanded to fear and love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and might, and to teach their children diligently to do the same. They are to remember the Lord's deliverance from Egypt and to keep his commandments, statutes, and testimonies, and to serve him alone, swearing by his name. The Israelites are warned not to forget the Lord or follow other gods, and to do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so that they may possess the good land promised to their fathers.

The Israelites are to destroy the seven nations in the land they are about to possess, making no covenants or showing mercy, and not intermarrying with them, as they will lead the Israelites to serve other gods. The Israelites are a holy people chosen by God, not because of their number, but because of God's love and promise to their fathers. They are to keep God's commandments and judgments, and if they do, God will keep the covenant and bless them with fertility, abundance, and protection from sickness and enemies.

The Israelites are reminded to observe God's commandments in order to live and possess the land promised to their fathers. God led them through the wilderness for 40 years to humble and test them, providing for their needs despite their circumstances. The Israelites are warned not to forget God when they become prosperous in the good land He is giving them, and to remember that their wealth and power come from Him. If they forget God and worship other gods, they will surely perish like the nations that were destroyed before them.

The Israelites are reminded that they are about to enter the Promised Land, not because of their own righteousness, but because of the wickedness of the nations that inhabit it. God had previously been angry with the Israelites for their rebellion and idolatry, including the incident with the golden calf, and had considered destroying them. However, Moses interceded on their behalf, reminding God of His promise to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God relented.

The Lord instructed Moses to create a new set of stone tablets and an ark to store them, and the Lord rewrote the Ten Commandments on the new tablets. Moses then placed the tablets in the ark and the Israelites continued their journey, during which Aaron died and was succeeded by his son Eleazar. The Lord designated the tribe of Levi to care for the ark and serve as priests. The Lord then instructed Moses to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, and Moses reminded the Israelites of their obligations to follow God's commandments and love and serve Him.

The Israelites are reminded to love and obey God, keeping His commandments and statutes, and to remember the miracles He performed for them in Egypt and the wilderness. If they obey, God will bless them with rain, fruitful land, and victory over their enemies, allowing them to possess the land He promised to their fathers. However, if they disobey and turn to other gods, God's wrath will be kindled against them, and they will perish from the land. The Israelites are instructed to teach God's words to their children and to write them on their doorposts and gates, and to choose between a blessing and a curse when they enter the land.

The Israelites are instructed to destroy the places of worship of the nations they will dispossess and to worship God only in the place He chooses. They are to bring their offerings and sacrifices to this place and rejoice before God with their families and the Levites. They are not to worship God in every place they see, but only in the designated place, and they are not to eat the tithe or vows in their own gates, but only in the presence of God. They are also instructed not to eat blood or follow the abominable practices of the nations they will dispossess, but to observe and do all that God commands.

The Israelites are warned not to follow a prophet or dreamer who performs a sign or wonder but then encourages them to serve other gods. Instead, they are to remain faithful to the Lord and follow His commandments. If a family member or friend tries to entice them to serve other gods, they are not to pity or spare them, but to put them to death. If a city is found to be serving other gods, the Israelites are to investigate and, if the accusation is true, destroy the city and all its inhabitants.

The Israelites are reminded that they are a holy people, set apart by God, and are given dietary restrictions, including what animals and fish are clean and unclean to eat. They are also instructed not to eat anything that dies of itself and not to seethe a kid in its mother's milk. Additionally, they are required to tithe their crops and livestock, and to eat the tithe before God in a designated place, or to convert it to money and use it to buy food and drink to enjoy with their household and the Levites, strangers, and the poor.

Every seven years, a release is to be made, where creditors forgive debts to their fellow Israelites, but not to foreigners. The Israelites are to lend to those in need, and not be stingy, as the Lord will bless them for their generosity. If a fellow Israelite is sold into servitude, they are to be released after six years, and provided with sufficient resources to start anew. The firstborn males of the Israelites' herds and flocks are to be sanctified to the Lord and eaten in a sacred place, but any with blemishes are to be eaten within the gates, with the blood poured out on the ground.

The Israelites are instructed to observe the Passover, a feast commemorating their deliverance from Egypt, by sacrificing a lamb and eating unleavened bread for seven days. They are also to celebrate the Feast of Weeks, a time of thanksgiving for the harvest, and the Feast of Tabernacles, a week-long celebration of God's blessing. The Israelites are to appear before God three times a year at these feasts, bringing offerings according to their ability. Additionally, they are to establish judges and officers to administer justice and to avoid idolatry and corruption.

The Israelites are instructed not to offer blemished animals as sacrifices to God, and to stone anyone who worships other gods. Disputes are to be settled by the priests and judges, and their decisions are to be followed without deviation. A future king must be chosen by God and be an Israelite, and he is not to multiply horses, wives, or wealth, but instead must write and follow a copy of the law.

The Levites are to have no inheritance among the Israelites, but instead will eat the offerings made to the Lord by fire, and the Lord will be their inheritance. The people are to give the priests the shoulder, cheeks, and maw of any sacrificed ox or sheep, as well as the firstfruits of their crops and the first fleece of their sheep. The Israelites are warned not to follow the abominable practices of the nations they will displace, including child sacrifice, divination, and consulting with spirits. The Lord will raise up a prophet from among the Israelites, like Moses, to whom they must listen, and any prophet who speaks a word not commanded by the Lord will be put to death.

The Israelites are instructed to set aside three cities of refuge where those who have killed someone unintentionally can flee to avoid being killed by the victim's avenger. The cities are to be divided equally throughout the land, and the killer must be innocent of premeditation and hatred towards the victim. If the Israelites obey God's commands and expand their territory, they are to add three more cities of refuge. Those who have killed someone intentionally are to be handed over to the avenger and put to death. The chapter also addresses the importance of truthful witnesses, with at least two witnesses required to establish guilt, and the punishment for false witnesses is to be the same as the crime they falsely accused someone of.

When going to battle, the Israelites are not to fear their enemies, as God is with them and will fight for them. Before the battle, officers will speak to the people, exempting those who have recently built a house, planted a vineyard, or become engaged from fighting, as well as anyone who is fearful. When approaching a city to fight, the Israelites are to offer peace first, and if the city refuses, they are to besiege it and kill all the males, taking the women, children, and spoil for themselves. However, in cities that God has given them as an inheritance, they are to utterly destroy all the inhabitants to prevent them from teaching the Israelites to sin against God. Additionally, when besieging a city, the Israelites are not to destroy trees that produce food, but may cut down trees that do not produce food to use for building bulwarks.

If a body is found in a field and the killer is unknown, the elders of the nearest city must perform a ritual to atone for the death, including beheading a heifer and washing their hands over it, declaring their innocence. When taking captives in war, if a man desires a woman, he must allow her to mourn her family for a month before marrying her, and if he later rejects her, he must let her go free. A man with multiple wives must not favor one son over another based on their mothers' status, and must give the firstborn son a double portion of his inheritance. A stubborn and rebellish son who refuses to obey his parents can be brought before the elders and stoned to death. A man who is hanged for a capital offense must be buried the same day to avoid defiling the land.

The passage outlines various laws and regulations, including the requirement to return lost property to its owner, the prohibition on cross-dressing, and the need to build safety features into new homes. It also addresses laws related to marriage, including the punishment for falsely accusing a wife of not being a virgin, and the consequences for adultery and rape. Additionally, it prohibits a man from marrying his father's wife or having a relationship with a woman who is already betrothed to another man.

Those with physical deformities, bastards, and certain foreigners are excluded from the congregation of the Lord. The Israelites are also forbidden from seeking the peace or prosperity of certain nations, but are allowed to befriend others. The Israelites are required to maintain cleanliness and purity in their camp, and are given specific instructions for dealing with bodily waste and unclean individuals. The chapter also prohibits the Israelites from returning escaped slaves to their masters, and from engaging in various forms of immorality, including prostitution and usury.

A man who divorces his wife due to uncleanness cannot remarry her if she has been with another man, as this is considered an abomination. A newlywed man is exempt from war and business for one year to care for his wife. Various laws are established, including the prohibition of taking millstones as pledges, the punishment of death for stealing and selling a fellow Israelite, and the proper treatment of those afflicted with leprosy. Additionally, laws are set forth regarding lending, hiring servants, and protecting the rights of the poor, strangers, fatherless, and widows, including the provision of leftover harvest, olives, and grapes for their benefit.

Judges are to justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, and may impose physical punishment, but not exceeding 40 stripes. An ox should not be muzzled while working, and a widow's brother-in-law is responsible for marrying her and continuing his brother's lineage. If he refuses, he will be publicly shamed. In a fight, if a woman grabs a man's genitals, her hand should be cut off. People should use honest weights and measures, and God hates dishonesty. The Israelites are also reminded to remember Amalek's cruel actions and to blot out their memory when the time comes.

When the Israelites enter the land God has given them, they are to take the first fruits of the earth and bring them to the priest at the place God has chosen. There, they are to declare their faith and recall God's deliverance from Egypt, and then worship and rejoice in God's blessings. The Israelites are also to tithe to the Levite, stranger, fatherless, and widow, and then declare their obedience to God's commandments. God will bless the people and the land, and the Israelites will be set apart as a holy people to God.

Moses instructed the Israelites to set up large stones on Mount Ebal after crossing the Jordan River and write the words of the law on them. They were also to build an altar of whole stones on which to offer burnt and peace offerings to the Lord. The Levites were to pronounce curses on those who disobeyed the law, including those who made idols, disobeyed parents, and committed various other sins, with the people responding with "Amen" to each curse.

If the Israelites obey God's voice and keep His commandments, they will be blessed with prosperity, abundance, and protection from their enemies. However, if they disobey, they will be cursed with poverty, famine, disease, and defeat at the hands of their enemies. The curses will be severe, including the loss of their children, livestock, and crops, and they will be forced to serve other gods in a foreign land. Ultimately, they will be scattered among the nations and will not find rest or peace.

Moses reminds the Israelites of the covenant they made with God at Horeb and the one they are about to make in Moab, recalling the miracles and wonders they witnessed in Egypt and the wilderness. He warns them to keep the covenant and obey God's laws, lest they face curses and punishment. The covenant is not just for those present, but also for future generations and foreigners who join them. Those who disobey will be separated from the community and face God's wrath, while those who obey will prosper. The chapter concludes by stating that the secrets of God are unknown, but the revealed laws are for the Israelites and their children to follow.

The Lord promises to restore Israel from captivity and gather them from all nations if they return to Him with all their heart and soul, obeying His voice and commands. He will bring them back to the land of their fathers, bless them, and multiply them. The Lord's commandments are not far off or hidden, but are near to them, in their mouth and heart, and they have the choice between life and death, blessing and cursing. If they choose to obey and love the Lord, they will live and multiply, but if they turn away and worship other gods, they will perish.

Moses, at 120 years old, tells the Israelites that he will not be able to enter the Promised Land, but God will go before them and destroy the nations in their path. He commissions Joshua to lead the people and promises that God will be with him. Moses writes the law and gives it to the Levites, instructing them to read it to the people every seven years. God tells Moses that his death is near and that the people will eventually turn away from Him and face many troubles. Moses writes a song as a witness against the people and teaches it to them, and he gives Joshua a charge to lead the people into the Promised Land.

The Lord calls on heaven and earth to witness His words, proclaiming His greatness and perfection as the Rock of Israel. He laments that His people have corrupted themselves, provoking Him to jealousy with false gods and abominations. The Lord recalls how He led and cared for Israel in the wilderness, but they grew fat and forgot Him, leading to His anger and decision to hide His face from them. The Lord warns of impending judgment and destruction, but also promises to avenge the blood of His servants and be merciful to His land and people. Moses speaks these words to the people, urging them to set their hearts to the law and obey it, and the Lord instructs Moses to ascend Mount Nebo to see the Promised Land before he dies, as punishment for his earlier disobedience.

Moses blesses the children of Israel before his death, describing God's presence and power. He then blesses each of the tribes individually, highlighting their unique strengths and characteristics. Reuben is blessed with life and a large population, Judah with protection and help, Levi with priestly duties, and so on. The chapter concludes with a description of God's power and protection over Israel, and a declaration of Israel's happiness and uniqueness as a people saved by the Lord.

Moses ascended Mount Nebo, where God showed him the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but told him he would not enter it. Moses died in the land of Moab at the age of 120, and was buried in a valley, with the location of his grave remaining unknown. The Israelites mourned Moses' death for 30 days, after which Joshua, who had been given the spirit of wisdom by Moses, took his place as leader. Moses was a unique prophet, known for the signs and wonders he performed in Egypt and the terror he inspired in Israel.