1. Now therefore, Israel, hear the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.
2. In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I am commanding you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.
3. You have seen with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal-peor: the Lord, your God, destroyed from your midst everyone who followed the Baal of Peor;
4. but you, who held fast to the Lord, your God, are all alive today.
5. See, I am teaching you the statutes and ordinances as the Lord, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to possess.
6. Observe them carefully, for this is your wisdom and discernment in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “This great nation is truly a wise and discerning people.”
7. For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?