8. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi from the other tribes for his special work. They had the work of carrying the Lord’S Box of the Agreement. They also served as priests before the Lord. And they had the work of blessing people in the Lord’S name. They still do this special work today.
9. That is why the people from the tribe of Levi did not get any share of land like the other tribes did. They have the Lord for their share. That is what the Lord your God promised them.)
10. “I stayed on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, like the first time. The Lord also listened to me at that time. He decided not to destroy you.
11. The Lord said to me, ‘Go and lead the people on their trip. They will go in and live in the land that I promised to give to their ancestors.’
12. “Now, Israelites, listen! What does the Lord your God really want from you? The Lord your God wants you to respect him and do what he says. He wants you to love him and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
13. So obey the laws and commands of the Lord that I am giving you today. These laws and commands are for your own good.
14. “Everything belongs to the Lord your God. The heavens, even the highest heavens, belong to him. The earth and everything on it belong to him.
15. The Lord loved your ancestors very much. He loved them so much that he chose you, their descendants, to be his people. He chose you instead of any other nation, and you are still his chosen people today.