Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

“These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan,

in the wilderness, in the Arabah, opposite Suph.”

Moses Began:

“YHWH our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying:

‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain.

Go and take the land I swore to your ancestors.’”

Moses reminded them how leaders were appointed to help judge fairly.

“Do not be partial—hear the small and great alike.”

The Mission to Canaan

“We came to Kadesh-barnea. I said: ‘Go up and take possession.’

But you said, ‘Let us send spies ahead…’”

They saw the land, but were afraid:

“You grumbled, saying, ‘YHWH hates us—He brought us here to die!’”

The Judgment

“Not one of this evil generation will see the land—except Caleb.

Joshua will lead your children in.”

They tried to go up without YHWH—and were defeated at Hormah.

———

Moses continued:

“We turned back and wandered many days.

YHWH said: ‘Do not provoke Edom—I have given it to Esau.

Do not harass Moab—I have given it to Lot’s descendants.’”

They bought food and water, but passed through peacefully.

Victory Over Sihon

“YHWH said: ‘Now rise and take the land of Sihon.’

He hardened Sihon’s heart so he would fight.

We struck him down and took all his cities.

Not one city was too strong—YHWH gave them all into our hands.”

———

“Then we turned and went to Bashan.

Og king of Bashan came out with his army.

YHWH said: ‘Do not fear—I have given him into your hand.’

We struck him and left no survivors.”

Og’s iron bed was over 13 feet long.

Land Distribution (East of Jordan)

Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh received their inheritance.

“But your fighting men must cross over and help your brothers.”

Moses Pleads to Enter

“O Master YHWH, let me see the good land beyond the Jordan.”

But YHWH said:

“Enough. Speak no more of this.

Go to the top of Pisgah and look—but you will not cross.

Commission Joshua, for he shall lead them in.”

———

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes I teach you.

Do not add to or take from them.

Your eyes saw what YHWH did at Baal-peor.

But you who held fast to YHWH are alive today.”

Wisdom in the Nations

“Obey these words—for this is your wisdom and understanding.

What nation has a God so near?”

“Watch yourselves carefully—do not forget what your eyes have seen.”

The Day at Horeb

“YHWH spoke to you from the fire.

You heard the voice, but saw no form—only sound.”

“Therefore, do not make carved images.”

Warning Against Idolatry

“If you corrupt yourselves and make idols,

you will perish from the land.”

“But if you seek YHWH with all your heart—you will find Him.”

There Is No Other

“Ask from one end of the heavens to the other:

Has any god ever spoken from fire? Or taken a nation from another by signs and wonders?”

“YHWH is God in heaven above and earth below—there is no other.”

Three Cities of Refuge (East)

Moses designated:

Bezer (Reuben)

Ramoth (Gad)

Golan (Manasseh)

———

Moses summoned all Israel:

“YHWH our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.”

The Covenant Words:

I am YHWH your God—no other gods before Me.

Do not make carved images or bow to them.

Do not take the Name of YHWH in vain.

Remember the Sabbath and keep it set-apart.

Honor your father and mother.

Do not murder.

Do not commit adultery.

Do not steal.

Do not bear false witness.

Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, house, or goods.

The Voice from Fire

“You heard His voice from the midst of the fire…

and you said: ‘We have seen this day that God speaks with man and yet he lives!’”

“But let Moses speak to us—we will listen.”

YHWH said:

“Oh that they had such a heart always, to fear Me and keep My commands!”

———

“This is the command—the statutes and judgments YHWH your God commanded me to teach you,

that you may do them in the land you are entering.”

The Shema (Hear, O Israel)

“Hear, O Israel: YHWH is our God—YHWH alone.

And you shall love YHWH your God with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your strength.”

“These words I command you today shall be on your heart:

Teach them diligently to your children.

Speak them when you sit, walk, lie down, and rise.”

“Bind them on your hands and forehead.

Write them on the doorposts and gates.”

Beware When You Prosper

“When YHWH brings you into a land with great cities, full houses, and vineyards—

do not forget Him.

Do not go after other gods.

Fear YHWH, serve Him, and swear by His Name alone.”

“Do what is right and good.

Teach your children:

‘We were slaves in Egypt, but YHWH brought us out with signs and wonders.’”

———

“When YHWH brings you into the land and clears away the nations—

you shall not make a covenant with them.

You shall not intermarry with them.”

“Tear down their altars, smash their stones, cut down their images, and burn their poles.”

Chosen and Loved

“YHWH did not choose you because you were numerous—

but because He loved you and keeps His oath.”

“Know that YHWH your God is faithful.

He keeps covenant to a thousand generations with those who love Him.”

No Fear

“Do not fear the nations, even if they seem stronger.

YHWH your God will go before you—He will drive them out.”

“Destroy their images. Do not covet their silver and gold.

It is cursed. Do not bring it into your house—lest you become cursed with it.”

———

“Remember the whole journey in the wilderness—

how YHWH humbled you, tested you, to know what was in your heart.”

“He fed you with manna…

to teach you that man does not live by bread alone,

but by every word from the mouth of YHWH.”

Warning Against Pride

“When you eat and are full, and your silver and gold multiply—

do not say in your heart,

‘My power has gotten me this wealth.’”

“It is YHWH your God who gives you power to gain wealth—

to establish His covenant.”

“But if you forget Him and follow other gods—

you shall surely perish.”

———

“Hear, O Israel: Today you cross over to dispossess nations mightier than you.”

“Do not say, ‘It is because of our righteousness.’

It is because of their wickedness and to keep the oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

You Have Been Stubborn

“From the day you left Egypt, you have been rebellious.”

“At Horeb, you made the golden calf.

YHWH said: ‘Let Me destroy them.’

I lay prostrate before Him forty days and nights.”

“I pleaded:

‘Do not destroy Your inheritance. Remember Your servants, not the people’s sin.’”

“And YHWH listened.”

———

“At that time YHWH said: ‘Carve two tablets like the first, and come up the mountain.’

He wrote the Ten Words again and gave them to me.”

What YHWH Requires

“And now, O Israel, what does YHWH your God ask of you

but to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him with all your heart,

and keep His commands—for your good?”

“The heavens—even the highest heavens—belong to YHWH…

yet He set His love upon your fathers and chose you, their descendants.”

“Circumcise the foreskin of your heart—be stiff-necked no longer.”

“For YHWH your God is the God of gods…

He defends the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving them food and clothing.

So love the stranger—for you were strangers in Egypt.”

———

“Love YHWH your God and keep His charge—His statutes, judgments, and commands always.”

You Have Seen With Your Own Eyes

“Your children did not see the signs in Egypt or what YHWH did at the sea,

or how the earth opened its mouth and swallowed Korah.

But you have seen it all—therefore, keep His commandments.”

The Land and the Rain

“The land you are entering is not like Egypt,

where you irrigated by foot.

It is a land of hills and valleys, watered by the rain of heaven—

watched over always by YHWH your God.”

Obedience Brings Rain

“If you listen and love YHWH:

He will send rain in season, the early and the late rain.

You will gather grain, wine, and oil.”

Disobedience Brings Drought

“If you turn to other gods, the heavens will shut.”

Bind These Words

“Lay these words on your heart.

Teach them to your children.

Speak them when you sit, walk, lie down, and rise.

Bind them on your hands and forehead.”

Set Before You: A Blessing and a Curse

“A blessing—if you obey.

A curse—if you turn aside.”

———

“These are the statutes you must keep in the land YHWH is giving you:

Tear down all the high places and altars of the nations.”

One Place for His Name

“You shall seek the place YHWH chooses to make His Name dwell.

There you shall bring your burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, vows, and rejoicing.”

“You shall not do whatever is right in your own eyes.”

Eating Meat and the Blood Law

“You may eat meat within your towns, as your soul desires.

But do not eat the blood—pour it out on the ground like water.”

“Do not neglect the Levite.”

No Idolatrous Ways

“Do not inquire about how the nations worship their gods.

Do not say, ‘How did they serve their gods? We will do the same.’

YHWH hates what they do.”

“Do not add or take away from His word.”

———

“If a prophet or dreamer gives a sign or wonder,

and says, ‘Let us follow other gods,’

do not listen—even if the sign comes to pass.”

“YHWH is testing you—to know whether you love Him with all your heart.”

Even If It's Your Closest Loved One

“If your brother, son, daughter, wife, or best friend says,

‘Let us serve other gods’—you shall not yield or pity.

You must expose them.”

A City That Turns Away

“If an entire city turns to idolatry, investigate it carefully.

If true—strike it with the sword.

Burn the city and all its spoils to YHWH.

It shall never be rebuilt.”

———

“You are children of YHWH your God.

Do not cut yourselves or shave your heads for the dead.”

“You are a set-apart people.

Do not eat anything detestable.”

Clean and Unclean Animals

Animals that chew the cud and have split hooves: eat.

No pigs, camels, hares.

Fish with fins and scales: eat.

Birds: avoid eagle, vulture, raven, owl, etc.

No eating animals that die naturally.

“You may give it to a foreigner, but you are a holy people.”

Tithing and Rejoicing

“Tithe all the increase.

Bring it to the place YHWH chooses, and rejoice before Him.”

“If the distance is too far—convert it to silver.

Buy what your soul desires: oxen, sheep, wine—rejoice with your household.”

Provision for the Levite, the Stranger, the Fatherless, and the Widow

“Every third year, store the tithe in your town.

Let the Levite, stranger, orphan, and widow come and eat and be satisfied.”

———

“At the end of every seven years, cancel debts.

Every creditor shall release what is owed.”

“You may exact it from foreigners—but your brother you must forgive.”

No Poor Among You

“If you listen to YHWH, there will be no poor among you.

He will bless you.”

“If there is a poor man among you—open your hand freely.

Do not harden your heart or close your fist.”

The Generous Spirit

“Give freely, and YHWH will bless you in all your work.”

“There will always be poor in the land—therefore, open your hand.”

Hebrew Servants Freed in the Seventh Year

“If your brother is sold to you, serve for six years.

In the seventh, send him away free—do not send him empty-handed.”

“Bless him with flocks, grain, and wine.”

“If he says, ‘I love my master’—pierce his ear, and he shall serve you for life.”

Firstborn Consecrated

“Set apart all firstborn males of your herd and flock.

Eat them before YHWH at the appointed place.”

“If the animal is blemished—do not offer it. Eat it at home.”

———

“Observe the month of Aviv and keep the Passover to YHWH your God,

for in that month He brought you out of Egypt by night.”

The Appointed Feasts

Passover & Unleavened Bread (Month of Aviv)

Eat unleavened bread 7 days.

Do not let any meat from the offering remain overnight.

On the seventh day, hold a sacred assembly.

Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)

Count 7 weeks from the day of firstfruits.

Celebrate with a freewill offering as YHWH has blessed you.

Feast of Booths (Sukkot)

Seven days after gathering from the threshing floor and winepress.

Rejoice—you, your household, the Levite, foreigner, orphan, and widow.

“Three times a year all your males shall appear before YHWH—

and no one shall appear empty-handed.”

Justice in the Land

“Appoint judges and officers in all your towns.

Judge the people with righteous judgment.

Do not pervert justice. Do not take bribes.”

“Justice, justice you shall pursue—so you may live and possess the land.”

———

“Do not sacrifice an ox or sheep with any blemish.”

Idolatry Punishable by Death

“If a man or woman is found among you worshiping other gods,

and it is proven with two or three witnesses—stone them.”

“The hand of the witnesses shall be first to strike.”

The Supreme Court

“If a case is too difficult for you—take it to the Levitical priests and the judge at the place YHWH chooses.

Their decision shall stand—you must not turn aside from it.”

When You Have a King

“When you desire a king like the nations,

you shall appoint the one YHWH chooses.”

“He must be from among your brothers—

not a foreigner, not one who multiplies horses, wives, or gold.”

“He shall write a copy of this Torah,

and read it all the days of his life,

that he may learn to fear YHWH.”

———

“The priests and Levites shall have no inheritance among the people—

YHWH is their inheritance.”

“They shall eat the offerings by fire and receive firstfruits, wool, and gifts.”

Abominations of the Nations

“Do not imitate the nations who practice divination, sorcery, omens, witchcraft,

or consult the dead.”

“These are detestable to YHWH—because of them He drives out the nations before you.”

The Prophet Like Moses

“YHWH your God will raise up a Prophet from among your brothers—like me.

To Him you shall listen.”

“This is what you asked for at Horeb:

‘Let me not hear the voice or see the fire again, lest I die.’”

“I will put My words in His mouth.

Whoever does not listen—I will require it of him.”

“If a prophet speaks presumptuously or falsely—he shall die.”

———

“Set apart three cities in the land YHWH is giving you.

Prepare the roads and divide the land into three parts—so any manslayer may flee.”

The Law of the Refugee

“If a man kills his neighbor unintentionally—without hatred—he may flee and live.”

“But if he strikes in hatred or lies in wait—take him from the city and deliver him to death.”

“Do not pity the murderer—purge the guilt of innocent blood from Israel.”

Boundaries and Witnesses

“Do not move your neighbor’s boundary marker.”

“One witness is not enough to convict—only on the evidence of two or three.”

“If a witness is false and lies—do to him as he intended for his brother.”

“Your eye shall not pity—life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

———

“When you go to battle, do not be afraid.

YHWH your God goes with you.”

Exemptions from Battle

If you have built a new house and not lived in it

Planted a vineyard and not eaten from it

Engaged to a woman

Fearful and fainthearted

“Let him return—lest the hearts of his brothers melt.”

Offer Peace First

“When you approach a city, offer peace.

If it accepts—put them to forced labor.

If not—lay siege, strike the males, but preserve the women and children.”

Do Not Destroy Fruit Trees

“When you besiege a city, do not destroy its fruit trees—

for the tree of the field is man’s life.”

———

Unsolved Murder

“If someone is found slain in the field, and no one knows who struck him:

The elders of the nearest town shall take a heifer

and break its neck in a valley with running water.

The priests and elders shall wash their hands over it and say:

‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.’

So you shall remove the guilt of innocent blood.”

Captive Women

“If you see among captives a beautiful woman and desire her:

Bring her to your house. Shave her head, trim her nails,

and let her mourn for a month.

Then you may take her as your wife.

If later you do not delight in her—set her free.

You may not sell her or treat her as a slave.”

Rights of the Firstborn

“If a man has two wives and the firstborn is from the unloved wife:

He may not give the inheritance to the son of the loved wife.

The firstborn—no matter whom he is from—must receive the double portion.”

The Rebellious Son

“If a son is stubborn and rebellious, not listening to voice of father or mother—

Bring him to the elders at the gate.

If confirmed, the men of the city shall stone him.

So you shall purge the evil from among you.”

Hanging on a Tree

“If a man is executed and hung on a tree,

his body shall not remain overnight.

You shall bury him that day—

for he who is hanged is under a curse of God.”

———

Kindness Toward Others’ Property

“If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying—return it.

If you do not know the owner, keep it until he seeks it.

Do not ignore your brother’s property.”

Male and Female Distinction

“A woman shall not wear what pertains to a man,

nor a man wear a woman’s garment.

All who do so are detestable to YHWH.”

Care for Life

“If you find a bird’s nest—do not take the mother with the young.

Let the mother go, that it may be well with you.”

“When you build a new house, put a railing on the roof,

lest someone fall and bring guilt upon your house.”

Various Purity Laws

Do not sow mixed seeds.

Do not plow with an ox and donkey together.

Do not wear cloth of wool and linen together.

Make tassels (tzitzit) on the corners of your garment.

Marriage Laws

“If a man accuses his wife of not being a virgin:

The parents shall bring proof to the elders.

If she is found innocent, the husband is fined.

If guilty—she shall be stoned at her father’s house.”

“If a man lies with a married woman—both shall die.

If a man violates a betrothed woman in the city and she does not cry out—both die.

If in the field—only the man dies.

If a man lies with a virgin not betrothed—he shall pay her father and marry her.”

“A man shall not marry his father’s wife—he has uncovered his father’s skirt.”

———

Who May Enter the Assembly

No one whose body is mutilated.

No one of illegitimate birth.

No Ammonite or Moabite to the tenth generation.

(Because they did not welcome you and hired Balaam to curse you.)

“But do not detest Edomites or Egyptians—

you were sojourners in Egypt.”

Camp Purity

“If any man is unclean during the night, he must go outside the camp.

When evening comes, he may return.”

“Have a place outside the camp for relieving yourself.

Carry a tool with your weapon to cover your waste.

For YHWH walks among you—your camp must be holy.”

Protecting the Vulnerable

Do not return escaped slaves to their masters.

Do not charge interest on loans to your brother.

Keep all vows—do not delay.

You may eat from a neighbor’s field, but not harvest what is not yours.

———

Marriage and Divorce

“If a man divorces his wife and she marries another,

and that second husband dies or divorces her—

the first husband may not take her back. It is an abomination.”

Compassion for Workers

“Do not take a man’s millstone in pledge—it is his livelihood.”

“If a man is kidnapped and sold—he shall be put to death.”

“Take care in cases of skin disease—follow the priests’ instruction.”

Justice for the Poor

“Do not oppress hired workers—whether brother or foreigner.

Pay them daily, before the sun sets.”

“Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons for fathers.”

“Do not pervert justice for the foreigner or the orphan.

Leave gleanings for the poor, the widow, and the stranger.”

———

Fair Justice

“If there is a dispute—let the righteous be justified and the wicked condemned.

If the wicked is to be beaten, do not exceed 40 lashes.”

“Do not muzzle the ox when it treads the grain.”

The Brother’s Duty

“If brothers dwell together and one dies without a child,

the surviving brother shall marry the widow to raise up offspring.

If he refuses, she shall remove his sandal and spit before him.”

Various Commands

If two men fight and a wife grabs the other man’s private parts—cut off her hand.

Do not have unequal weights and measures.

“You must have full and honest measures,

that your days may be long in the land.”

Remember Amalek

“Remember what Amalek did to you—attacking the weak.

When YHWH gives you rest, blot out the memory of Amalek—do not forget.”

———

“When you enter the land YHWH your God gives you,

take some of the firstfruits of the harvest

and go to the place YHWH chooses for His Name.”

Confession Before the Priest

“My father was a wandering Aramean…

We went down to Egypt, became a nation, were afflicted and cried out.

YHWH brought us out with a mighty hand…

and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.”

“Now I bring the firstfruits of the land You gave me.”

Bow before YHWH and rejoice.

Tithe Declaration (Every Third Year)

“I have removed the sacred portion, given to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow…

I have obeyed Your voice and kept Your commands.”

“Look down from Your holy habitation, and bless Your people and land.”

Covenant Sealed

“Today you have declared YHWH to be your God…

and YHWH has declared you to be His treasured possession,

set apart for Himself, to walk in His ways.”

———

“On the day you cross the Jordan,

set up large stones and write on them all the words of this Torah.”

Build an altar of uncut stones, offer peace offerings, and rejoice.

Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal

“Six tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless.

Six shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses.”

Twelve Curses for Secret Sin

“Cursed is anyone who makes a carved image…

who dishonors father or mother…

who moves a neighbor’s boundary…

who misleads the blind…

who perverts justice for the vulnerable…

who commits sexual immorality…

who strikes a neighbor secretly…

who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood…

who does not uphold the words of this Torah.”

And all the people shall say: “Amen.”

———

“If you fully obey YHWH your God…”

Blessings for Obedience

“Blessed in the city and in the field.

Blessed shall be your children, your crops, and livestock.

Blessed shall be your going out and your coming in.”

“YHWH will cause your enemies to flee.

He will open His storehouses.

You shall lend and not borrow.

You shall be the head and not the tail.”

Curses for Disobedience

“If you do not obey… these curses shall come upon you.”

Cursed in city and field

Disease, drought, defeat

Madness and blindness

Oppression and robbery

Foreigners rising above you

Your sons and daughters taken

The sky bronze, the ground iron

“YHWH will scatter you among all nations…

you shall find no rest, only trembling heart and despairing soul.”

“In the morning you will say, ‘Would it were evening.’

In the evening you will say, ‘Would it were morning.’”

“YHWH will bring you back to Egypt in ships—

and no one will buy you.”

———

“You have seen with your eyes: the signs in Egypt, the wilderness, the clothes that did not wear out.”

“But to this day YHWH has not given you a heart to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.”

Everyone Is Bound by This Covenant

“You are standing before YHWH—men, women, children, foreigners, woodcutters, and water-drawers—

that He may establish you as His people and Himself as your God.”

Warning for Hidden Rebellion

“If anyone, hearing this oath, blesses himself in his heart saying,

‘I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart’—

YHWH will never be willing to forgive him.”

“The land will become a wasteland like Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Yet Mercy Is Hidden in the Future

“When your children ask… and see the devastation:

‘Because they abandoned the covenant of YHWH…’”

“The secret things belong to YHWH,

but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever—

that we may keep all the words of this Torah.”

———

“When all these things come upon you—blessings and curses—

and you return to YHWH with all your heart…”

Promise of Restoration

“YHWH will restore your fortunes.

He will gather you from all the nations.

He will circumcise your heart, and the hearts of your children—

to love Him with all your heart and soul, that you may live.”

“YHWH will again delight in prospering you.”

Not Far Away

“This commandment is not too hard for you.

It is not in heaven… not beyond the sea.

The word is very near to you—

in your mouth and in your heart, so you may do it.”

Choose Life

“I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.”

“If you love YHWH your God, walk in His ways, and keep His commands—

you shall live and multiply.”

“But if your heart turns away…

you shall surely perish.”

“I call heaven and earth to witness this day:

I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.

Therefore, choose life—so that you and your seed may live.”

———

Moses said to all Israel:

“I am now 120 years old. I can no longer go out and come in.

YHWH has said, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’

But YHWH your God Himself will cross over before you.”

Encouragement to Joshua

“Be strong and courageous.

YHWH goes before you—He will not leave or forsake you.”

Moses summoned Joshua:

“Be strong. You shall go with this people.

YHWH will be with you—do not be afraid.”

The Torah Given

Moses wrote down this Torah and gave it to the priests and elders:

“At the end of every seven years, at the Feast of Booths,

you shall read this Torah aloud in the hearing of all Israel—

men, women, children, and foreigners—so they may learn to fear YHWH.”

YHWH Warns of Israel’s Future Rebellion

YHWH said to Moses:

“Soon you will lie down with your fathers.

This people will rise and prostitute themselves to foreign gods.

They will forsake Me—then many evils will come upon them.”

“So now, write down this song and teach it to them—

that it may be a witness against them.”

———

“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak;

let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

Let my teaching fall like rain,

my words descend like dew—

like gentle showers on tender grass.”

The Greatness of YHWH

“He is the Rock—His work is perfect.

A faithful God, without injustice.”

“But His children have acted corruptly—

a crooked and twisted generation.”

Remembrance and Rebellion

“Is this how you repay YHWH?

Has He not created you and established you?”

“He found Jacob in a desert land…

He encircled him, cared for him, kept him as the apple of His eye.”

“But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked…

He abandoned the God who made him.”

The Judgment and the Hope

“They made Me jealous with foreign gods.

I will provoke them with a foolish nation.”

“Yet—if I sharpen My flashing sword,

and My hand takes hold of justice,

I will repay My adversaries.”

“Rejoice, O nations, with His people—

for He will avenge the blood of His servants,

and cleanse His land and His people.”

———

Before his death, Moses blessed the tribes of Israel:

“YHWH came from Sinai…

He shone from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones.”

Tribe by Tribe

Reuben: “Let him live and not die.”

Judah: “Bring him to his people; be his help.”

Levi: “They observed Your word, taught Your Torah.”

Benjamin: “The beloved of YHWH shall dwell secure.”

Joseph: “Blessed with heaven’s dew and earth’s richness.”

Zebulun and Issachar: “Rejoice in your going out and tents.”

Gad: “Enlarged like a lion—he chose the best land.”

Dan: “A lion’s cub leaping from Bashan.”

Naphtali: “Full of blessing—possess the west and south.”

Asher: “Most blessed of sons—let him dip his foot in oil.”

Closing Exhortation

“There is none like YHWH, O Jeshurun—

who rides the heavens to help you.

The eternal God is your dwelling place.

Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by YHWH?”

———

Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, opposite Jericho.

YHWH showed him all the land:

“This is the land I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

saying, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’

I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over.”

Moses Dies

Moses, the servant of YHWH, died there in the land of Moab, at YHWH’s word.

He buried him in a valley in Moab—but no one knows his burial place to this day.

Moses was 120 years old when he died.

His eye was not dim, nor his strength abated.

The children of Israel wept for Moses for 30 days.

Joshua Takes the Mantle

Joshua son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom,

for Moses had laid his hands on him.

So Israel listened to him.

“Never again has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses—

whom YHWH knew face to face.

None like him for all the signs and wonders YHWH sent him to do in Egypt…

and for all the mighty power and great awe Moses displayed

in the sight of all Israel.”