1. Israel, listen to the laws and rules I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you will live and be able to enter and take possession of the land that the Lord God of your ancestors is giving you.
2. Never add anything to what I command you, or take anything away from it. Then you will be able to obey the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
3. With your own eyes you saw what the Lord did at Baal Peor. The Lord your God destroyed everyone among you who worshiped the god Baal while you were at Peor.
4. But you were loyal to the Lord your God and are still alive today.
5. I have taught you laws and rules as the Lord my God commanded me. You must obey them when you’ve entered the land and taken possession of it.
6. Faithfully obey these laws. This will show the people of the world your wisdom and insight. When they hear about all these laws, they will say, “What wise and insightful people there are in this great nation!”
7. What great nation ever had their gods as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we pray to him?
8. Or what other great nation has such fair laws and rules as all these teachings I am giving you today?
9. However, be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you don’t forget the things which you have seen with your own eyes. Don’t let them fade from your memory as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.