19. “So write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Help them learn it, so it may serve as a witness for me against them.
20. For I will bring them into the land I swore to give their ancestors—a land flowing with milk and honey. There they will become prosperous, eat all the food they want, and become fat. But they will begin to worship other gods; they will despise me and break my covenant.
21. And when great disasters come down on them, this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants. I know the intentions of these people, even now before they have entered the land I swore to give them.”
22. So that very day Moses wrote down the words of the song and taught it to the Israelites.
23. Then the lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: “Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.”
24. When Moses had finished writing this entire body of instruction in a book,
25. he gave this command to the Levites who carried the Ark of the lord’s Covenant:
26. “Take this Book of Instruction and place it beside the Ark of the Covenant of the lord your God, so it may remain there as a witness against the people of Israel.
27. For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Even now, while I am still alive and am here with you, you have rebelled against the lord. How much more rebellious will you be after my death!
28. “Now summon all the elders and officials of your tribes, so that I can speak to them directly and call heaven and earth to witness against them.