It is not in heaven, as though one must say, “Who will go up to heaven to get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”

But I will certainly ¹  hide myself at that time because of all the wickedness they ²  will have done by turning to other gods.

Of Benjamin he said: The beloved of the Lord will live safely by him; he protects him all the time, and the Lord ¹  places him on his chest. ² 

Pay attention, Israel, and be careful to do this so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in number ¹  – as the Lord, God of your ancestors, ²  said to you, you will have a land flowing with milk and honey.

Your ox will be slaughtered before your very eyes but you will not eat of it. Your donkey will be stolen from you as you watch and will not be returned to you. Your flock of sheep will be given to your enemies and there will be no one to save you.

Suppose a man has two wives, one whom he loves more than the other, ¹  and they both ²  bear him sons, with the firstborn being the child of the less loved wife.

You shall do the same to his donkey, his clothes, or anything else your neighbor ¹  has lost and you have found; you must not refuse to get involved. ² 

And it is not across the sea, as though one must say, “Who will cross over to the other side of the sea and get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”

butter from the herd and milk from the flock, along with the fat of lambs, rams and goats of Bashan, along with the best of the kernels of wheat; and from the juice of grapes you drank wine.

For this is no idle word for you – it is your life! By this word you will live a long time in the land you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”

Of Levi he said: Your Thummim and Urim ¹  belong to your godly one, ²  whose authority you challenged at Massah, ³  and with whom you argued at the waters of Meribah. ⁴ 

Bless, O Lord, his goods, and be pleased with his efforts; undercut the legs ¹  of any who attack him, and of those who hate him, so that they cannot stand.

All of these cities were fortified by high walls, gates, and locking bars; ¹  in addition there were a great many open villages. ² 

but I show covenant faithfulness ¹  to the thousands ²  who choose ³  me and keep my commandments.

You must not do like we are doing here today, with everyone ¹  doing what seems best to him,

Instead, you must be sure to open your hand to him and generously lend ¹  him whatever he needs. ² 

Every one of you must give as you are able, ¹  according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.

You must not erect a sacred pillar, ¹  a thing the Lord your God detests.

Then, when the officers have finished speaking, ¹  they must appoint unit commanders ²  to lead the troops.

Then the Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies, on those who hate you and persecute you.