A Warning Against Idolatry

Deuteronomy 4

Moses urges Israel to keep the commandments exactly as given, reminding them that they saw no form when the Lord spoke to them out of the fire at Horeb, and warns them sternly against making any carved image, lest they be scattered among the nations for it. He also sets apart three cities east of the Jordan as places of refuge for anyone who kills a neighbor unintentionally.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW therefore, hear, O Israel, the rules of rectitude, and the judgments, which I this day teach you to practise, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land, which the Lord the God of your fathers giveth you.

BrentonAnd now, Israel, hear the ordinances and judgments, all that I teach you this day to do: that ye may live, and be multiplied, and that ye may go in and inherit the land, which the Lord God of your fathers gives you.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν Ἰσραὴλ ἄκουε τῶν δικαιωμάτων καὶ τῶν κριμάτων, ὅσα ἐγὼ διδάσκω ὑμᾶς σήμερον ποιεῖν, ἵνα ζῆτε, καὶ πολυπλασιασθῆτε, καὶ εἰσελθόντες κληρονομήσητε τὴν γῆν, ἣν Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν δίδωσιν ὑμῖν.

KJVNow therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

JPSAnd now, O Israel, hearken unto the statutes and unto the ordinances, which I teach you, to do them; that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, giveth you.

ThomsonYou shall not add any thing to what I command you; nor shall you diminish from it. You shall keep the commandments of the Lord our God, which I, this day, give you in charge.

BrentonYe shall not add to the word which I command you, and ye shall not take from it: keep the commandments of the Lord our God, all that I command you this day.

GreekΟὐ προσθήσετε πρὸς τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν, καὶ οὐκ ἀφελεῖτε ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ· φυλάσσεσθε τὰς ἐντολὰς Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ὅσα ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν σήμερον.

KJVYe shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

JPSYe shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

ThomsonYour eyes have seen all that the Lord our God did because of Beelphegor—that as for every man who went after Beelphegor—him the Lord our God destroyed from among you.

BrentonYour eyes have seen all that the Lord our God did in the case of Beel-phegor; for every man that went after Beel-phegor, the Lord your God has utterly destroyed him from among you.

GreekΟἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὑμῶν ἑωράκασι πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν τῷ Βεελφεγὼρ, ὅτι πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ὅστις ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω Βεελφεγὼρ, ἐξέτριψεν αὐτὸν Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν ἐξ ὑμῶν.

KJVYour eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.

JPSYour eyes have seen what the LORD did in Baal-peor; for all the men that followed the Baal of Peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from the midst of thee.

ThomsonBut as for you who adhered to the Lord your God, you are all alive this day.

BrentonBut ye that kept close to the Lord your God are all alive to-day.

GreekὙμεῖς δὲ οἱ προσκείμενοι Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ὑμῶν, ζῆτε πάντες ἐν τῇ σήμερον.

KJVBut ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.

JPSBut ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.

ThomsonBehold, I have taught you rules of rectitude, and judgments, as the Lord commanded me, that you may act agreeably thereto, in the land to which you are going, to take possession of it.

BrentonBehold, I have shewn you ordinances and judgments as the Lord commanded me, that ye should do so in the land into which ye go to inherit it.

GreekἼδετε, δέδειχα ὑμῖν δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις καθὰ ἐνετείλατό μοι Κύριος, ποιῆσαι οὕτως ἐν τῇ γῇ εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς εἰσπορεύεσθε ἐκεῖ κληρονομεῖν αὐτήν.

KJVBehold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

JPSBehold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the midst of the land whither ye go in to possess it.

ThomsonTherefore keep them, and practise them. For this will be your wisdom, and your understanding, in the sight of all the nations. Whoever shall chance to hear all these rules of rectitude, will say, Behold this is a wise and understanding people—a great nation.

BrentonAnd ye shall keep and do them: for this is your wisdom and understanding before all nations, as many as shall hear all these ordinances; and they shall say, Behold, this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξεσθε καὶ ποιήσετε· ὅτι αὕτη ἡ σοφία ὑμῶν καὶ ἡ σύνεσις ἐναντίον πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὅσοι ἂν ἀκούσωσι πάντα τὰ δικαιώματα ταῦτα· καὶ ἐροῦσιν, ἰδοὺ λαὸς σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων τὸ ἔθνος τὸ μέγα τοῦτο.

KJVKeep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

JPSObserve therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, that, when they hear all these statutes, shall say: ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

ThomsonFor how great must that nation be, which hath God near them, as the Lord our God is on all occasions, if we call upon Him!

BrentonFor what manner of nation is so great, which has God so near to them as the Lord our God is in all things in whatsoever we may call upon him?

GreekὍτι ποῖον ἔθνος μέγα, ᾧ ἐστιν αὐτῷ Θεὸς ἐγγίζων αὐτοῖς ὡς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς ἐὰν αὐτὸν ἐπικαλεσώμεθα;

KJVFor what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

JPSFor what great nation is there, that hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is whensoever we call upon Him?

ThomsonAnd how great must the nation be, which hath such rules of rectitude, and such righteous judgments, as are contained in the whole law, which I this day lay before you.

BrentonAnd what manner of nation is so great, which has righteous ordinances and judgments according to all this law, which I set before you this day?

GreekΚαὶ ποῖον ἔθνος μέγα, ᾧ ἐστιν αὐτῷ δικαιώματα καὶ κρίματα δίκαια κατὰ πάντα τὸν νόμον τοῦτον, ὃν ἐγὼ δίδωμι ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν σήμερον;

KJVAnd what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

JPSAnd what great nation is there, that hath statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

ThomsonTake heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently. Forget not all the things which thine eyes have seen, and let them not depart from thy heart all the days of thy life, that thou mayst impress upon thy children, and thy children’s children,

BrentonTake heed to thyself, and keep thy heart diligently: forget not any of the things, which thine eyes have seen, and let them not depart from thine heart all the days of thy life; and thou shalt teach thy sons and thy sons' sons,

GreekΠρόσεχε σεαυτῷ, καὶ φύλαξον τὴν ψυχήν σου σφόδρα· μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ πάντας τοὺς λόγους, οὓς ἑωράκασιν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου, καὶ μὴ ἀποστήτωσαν ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας σου πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς σου· καὶ συμβιβάσεις τοὺς υἱούς σου καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῶν υἱῶν σου, ἡμέραν ἣν ἔστητε ἐνώπιον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἐν Χωρὴβ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς ἐκκλησίας· ὅτε εἶπε

KJVOnly take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

JPSOnly take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but make them known unto thy children and thy children’s children;

Thomsonthat day when you stood in the presence of the Lord our God at Choreb, on the day of the solemn assembly. For the Lord said to me, Assemble the people before Me, and let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth. And let them teach their children.

Brentoneven the things that happened in the day in which ye stood before the Lord our God in Choreb in the day of the assembly; for the Lord said to me, Gather the people to me, and let them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days which they live upon the earth, and they shall teach their sons.

GreekΚύριος πρὸς μὲ, ἐκκλησίασον πρὸς μὲ τὸν λαὸν, καὶ ἀκουσάτωσαν τὰ ῥήματά μου, ὅπως μάθωσι φοβεῖσθαί με πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς αὐτοὶ ζῶσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτῶν διδάξουσι.

KJVSpecially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

JPSthe day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me: ‘Assemble Me the people, and I will make them hear My words that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.’

ThomsonSo you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain. Though the mountain was blazing with fire up to heaven, there was darkness, thick darkness, a turbid tempest.

BrentonAnd ye drew nigh and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire up to heaven: there was darkness, blackness, and tempest.

GreekΚαὶ προσήλθετε καὶ ἔστητε ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος· καὶ τὸ ὄρος ἐκαίετο πυρὶ ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ· σκότος, γνόφος, θύελλα.

KJVAnd ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.

JPSAnd ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the heart of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness.

ThomsonAnd the Lord uttered to you, from the midst of the fire, the sound of words which you heard. You saw no similitude, but only heard a voice.

BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire a voice of words, which ye heard: and ye saw no likeness, only ye heard a voice.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρὸς φωνὴν ῥημάτων, ἣν ὑμεῖς ἠκούσατε· καὶ ὁμοίωμα οὐκ εἴδετε, ἀλλʼ ἢ φωνήν·

KJVAnd the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto you out of the midst of the fire; ye heard the voice of words, but ye saw no form; only a voice.

ThomsonAnd when He had declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even the ten commandments, He wrote them on two tables of stone.

BrentonAnd he announced to you his covenant, which he commanded you to keep, even the ten commandments; and he wrote them on two tables of stone.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνήγγειλεν ὑμῖν τὴν διαθήκην αὐτοῦ, ἣν ἑνετείλατο ὑμῖν ποιεῖν, τὰ δέκα ῥήματα, καὶ ἔγραψεν αὐτὰ ἐπὶ δύο πλάκας λιθίνας.

KJVAnd he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

JPSAnd He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even the ten words; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.

ThomsonAnd the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you rules of rectitude, and judgments, for you to practise in the land to which you are going, to take possession of it.

BrentonAnd the Lord commanded me at that time, to teach you ordinances and judgments, that ye should do them on the land, into which ye go to inherit it.

GreekΚαὶ ἐμοὶ ἐνετείλατο Κύριος ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διδάξαι ὑμᾶς δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις, ποιεῖν ὑμᾶς αὐτὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς εἰσπορεύεσθε ἐκεῖ κληρονομῆσαι αὐτήν.

KJVAnd the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

JPSAnd the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and ordinances, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

ThomsonTherefore watch your souls with diligence, for you saw no similitude on the day when the Lord spoke to you at Choreb, in the mount, out of the midst of the fire,

BrentonAnd take good heed to your hearts, for ye saw no similitude in the day in which the Lord spoke to you in Choreb in the mountain out of the midst of the fire:

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξεσθε σφόδρα τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν, ὅτι οὐκ εἴδετε ὁμοίωμα ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν Χωρὴβ ἐν τῷ ὄρει ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός.

KJVTake ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire:

JPSTake ye therefore good heed unto yourselves—for ye saw no manner of form on the day that the LORD spoke unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire—

Thomsonthat you may not transgress, and make for yourselves a graven image—any kind of image, the likeness of man or woman;

Brentonlest ye transgress, and make to yourselves a carved image, any kind of figure, the likeness of male or female,

GreekΜὴ ἀνομήσητε καὶ ποιήσητε ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα, πᾶσαν εἰκόνα ὁμοίωμα ἀρσενικοῦ ἢ θηλυκοῦ,

KJVLest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

JPSlest ye deal corruptly, and make you a graven image, even the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

Thomsonthe likeness of any of the beasts which are on the earth; the likeness of any winged bird, which flieth in the air;

Brentonthe likeness of any beast of those that are on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird which flies under heaven,

Greekὁμοίωμα παντὸς κτήνους τῶν ὄντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὁμοίωμα παντὸς ὀρνέου πτερωτοῦ ὃ πέταται ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανὸν,

KJVThe likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

JPSthe likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the heaven,

Thomsonthe likeness of any reptile, which creepeth on the ground; the likeness of any fish which is in the waters below the earth—

Brentonthe likeness of any reptile which creeps on the earth, the likeness of any fish of those which are in the waters under the earth;

Greekὁμοίωμα παντὸς ἑρπετοῦ ὃ ἕρπει ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὁμοίωμα παντὸς ἰχθύος, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς.

KJVThe likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

JPSthe likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth; .

Thomsonand that upon looking up to heaven, and seeing the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and all the host of heaven, thou mayst not be led astray, and worship them, and perform religious service to those things which the Lord thy God hath arranged in due order, for all the nations which are under heaven.

Brentonand lest having looked up to the sky, and having seen the sun and the moon and the stars, and all the heavenly bodies, thou shouldest go astray and worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God has distributed to all the nations under heaven.

GreekΚαὶ μὴ ἀναβλέψας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, καὶ ἰδὼν τὸν ἥλιον καὶ τὴν σελήνην καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας, καὶ πάντα τὸν κόσμον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, πλανηθεὶς προσκυνήσῃς αὐτοῖς, καὶ λατρεύσῃς αὐτοῖς, ἃ ἀπένειμε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου αὐτὰ πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσι τοῖς ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ.

KJVAnd lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

JPSand lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath allotted unto all the peoples under the whole heaven.

ThomsonGod hath indeed taken you and brought you out of the land of Egypt—out of the iron furnace—out of Egypt, to be to Him a chosen people, as at this day.

BrentonBut God took you, and led you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as at this day.

GreekὙμᾶς δὲ ἔλαβεν ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ ἐξήγαγεν ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, ἐκ τῆς καμίνου τῆς σιδηρᾶς, ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, εἶναι αὐτῷ λαὸν ἔγκληρον, ὡς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ.

KJVBut the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

JPSBut you hath the LORD taken and brought forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be unto Him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

ThomsonBut with me the Lord God was angry for the things spoken by you, and He solemnly said that I should not cross this Jordan, and that I should not enter that land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for a possession.

BrentonAnd the Lord God was angry with me for the things said by you, and sware that I should not go over this Jordan, and that I should not enter into the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

GreekΚαὶ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἐθυμώθη μοι περὶ τῶν λεγομένων ὑφʼ ὑμῶν, καὶ ὤμοσεν ἵνα μὴ διαβῶ τὸν Ἰορδάνην τοῦτον, καὶ ἵνα μὴ εἰσέλθω εἰς τὴν γῆν, ἣν Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι ἐν κλήρῳ.

KJVFurthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:

JPSNow the LORD was angered with me for your sakes, and swore that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance;

ThomsonFor I am to die in this land, and not to cross that Jordan; but you are to cross it. When you shall possess that good land,

BrentonFor I am to die in this land, and shall not pass over this Jordan; but ye are to pass over, and shall inherit this good land.

GreekἘγὼ γὰρ ἀποθνήσκω ἐν τῇ γῇ ταύτῃ, καὶ οὐ διαβαίνω τὸν Ἰορδάνην τοῦτον· ὑμεῖς δὲ διαβαίνετε, καὶ κληρονομήσετε τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ταύτην.

KJVBut I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.

JPSbut I must die in this land, I must not go over the Jordan; but ye are to go over, and possess that good land.

Thomsontake heed to yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord our God, which He made with you, and transgress and make for yourselves a graven image of any of the things about which the Lord thy God hath given thee a charge;

BrentonTake heed to yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord our God, which he made with you, and ye transgress, and make to yourselves a graven image of any of the things concerning which the Lord thy God commanded thee.

GreekΠροσέχετε ὑμῖν, μὴ ἐπιλάθησθε τὴν διαθήκην Κύριου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ἣν διέθετο πρὸς ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἀνομήσητε, καὶ ποιήσητε ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα πάντων ὧν συνέταξέ σοι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου.

KJVTake heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

JPSTake heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which He made with you, and make you a graven image, even the likeness of any thing which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

Thomsonfor the Lord thy God is a consuming fire—a zealous God.

BrentonFor the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

GreekὍτι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου πῦρ καταναλίσκον ἐστί, Θεὸς ζηλωτής.

KJVFor the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

JPSFor the LORD thy God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.

ThomsonIf therefore, when you have begotten sons, and sons’ sons, and have been long in the land, you transgress, and make a graven image—the likeness of any thing whatever—and do evil in the sight of the Lord your God, to provoke Him to wrath,

BrentonAnd when thou shalt have begotten sons, and shalt have sons' sons, and ye shall have dwelt a long time on the land, and shall have transgressed, and made a graven image of any thing, and shall have done wickedly before the Lord your God to provoke him;

GreekἘὰν δὲ γεννήσῃς υἱοὺς καὶ υἱοὺς τῶν υἱῶν σου, καὶ χρονίσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἀνομήσητε, καὶ ποιήσετε γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα παντός, καὶ ποιήσητε τὸ πονηρὸν ἐνώπιου Κυρίου τοῦ

KJVWhen thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:

JPSWhen thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have been long in the land, and shall deal corruptly, and make a graven image, even the form of any thing, and shall do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke Him;

ThomsonI call heaven and earth this day to witness against you, that you shall surely perish from the land, to which you are going, to cross the Jordan there to take possession of it. You shall not prolong your days therein, but shall be utterly rooted out.

BrentonI call heaven and earth this day to witness against you, that ye shall surely perish from off the land, into which ye go across Jordan to inherit it there; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall be utterly cut off.

GreekΘεοῦ ὑμῶν παροργίσαι αὐτόν, διαμαρτύρομαι ὑμῖν σήμερον τὸν τε οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν, ὅτι ἀπωλίᾳ ἀπολεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς διαβαίνετε τὸν Ἰορδάνην ἐκεῖ κληρονομῆσαι· οὐχὶ πολυχρονιεῖτε ἡμέρας ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, ἀλλʼ ἢ ἐκτριβῇ ἐκτριβήσεσθε.

KJVI call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

JPSI call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over the Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

ThomsonAnd the Lord will scatter you among all the nations, and you shall be left few in number, among all the nations, to which the Lord will bring you.

BrentonAnd the Lord shall scatter you among all nations, and ye shall be left few in number among all the nations, among which the Lord shall bring you.

GreekΚαὶ διασπερεῖ Κύριος ὑμᾶς ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ καταλειφθήσεσθε ὀλίγοι ἀριθμῷ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εἰς οὓς εἰσάξει Κύριος ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ.

KJVAnd the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

JPSAnd the LORD shall scatter you among the peoples, and ye shall be left few in number among the nations, whither the LORD shall lead you away.

ThomsonAnd there you shall serve other gods, the works of men’s hands, stocks and stones, which can neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

BrentonAnd ye shall there serve other gods, the works of the hands of men, wood and stones, which cannot see, nor can they hear, nor eat, nor smell.

GreekΚαὶ λατρεύσετε ἐκεῖ θεοῖς ἑτέροις ἔργοις χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων, ξύλοις καὶ λίθοις, οἳ οὐκ ὄψονται, οὔτε μὴ ἀκούσωσιν, οὔτε μὴ φάγωσιν, οὔτε μὴ ὀσφρανθῶσι.

KJVAnd there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

JPSAnd there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

ThomsonYet there, on seeking the Lord your God, you will find Him when you seek Him with your whole heart and with your whole soul—

BrentonAnd there ye shall seek the Lord your God, and ye shall find him whenever ye shall seek him with all your heart, and with all your soul in your affliction.

GreekΚαὶ ζητήσετε ἐκεῖ Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν ὑμῶν, καὶ εὑρήσετε αὐτὸν ὅταν ἐκζητήσητε αὐτὸν ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου, καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου ἐν τῇ θλίψει σου·

KJVBut if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

JPSBut from thence ye will seek the LORD thy God; and thou shalt find Him, if thou search after Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

ThomsonIn thy affliction, when all these things have come upon thee in the latter days, when thou shalt turn to the Lord thy God, and hearken to His voice;

BrentonAnd all these things shall come upon thee in the last days, and thou shalt turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt hearken to his voice.

GreekΚαὶ εὑρήσουσί σε πάντες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι ἐπʼ ἐσχάτῳ τῶν ἡμερῶν, καὶ ἐπιστραφήσῃ πρὸς Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου, καὶ εἰσακούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς σὐτοῦ·

KJVWhen thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

JPSIn thy distress, when all these things are come upon thee, in the end of days, thou wilt return to the LORD thy God, and hearken unto His voice;

Thomsonbecause the Lord thy God is a merciful God, He will not forsake thee utterly, nor totally destroy thee. He will not forget the covenant of thy fathers, which the Lord confirmed to them with an oath.

BrentonBecause the Lord thy God is a God of pity: he will not forsake thee, nor destroy thee; he will not forget the covenant of thy fathers, which the Lord sware to them.

GreekὍτι Θεὸς οἰκτίρμων Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου· οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψει σε, οὐδὲ μὴ ἐκτρίψει σε· οὐκ ἐπιλήσεται τὴν διαθήκην τῶν πατέρων σου, ἣν ὤμοσεν αὐτοῖς Κύριος.

KJV(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

JPSfor the LORD thy God is a merciful God; He will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He swore unto them.

ThomsonEnquire of the days which are past—those which were before thee, from the day God created man on the earth, and from one end of heaven to the other—hath there ever been any thing like this great thing? Hath any thing been heard like it?

BrentonAsk of the former days which were before thee, from the day when God created man upon the earth, and beginning at the one end of heaven to the other end of heaven, if there has happened any thing like to this great event, if such a thing has been heard:

GreekἘπερωτήσατε ἡμέρας προτέρας τὰς γενομένας προτέρας σου ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἔκτισεν ὁ Θεὸς ἄνθρωπον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἕως τοῦ ἄκρου τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, εἰ γέγονε κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ μέγα τοῦτο, εἰ ἤκουσται τοιοῦτο· εἰ ἀκήκοεν ἔθνος φωνὴν

KJVFor ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

JPSFor ask now of the days past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and from the one end of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

ThomsonHath any nation heard the voice of the living God, speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and are still alive?

Brentonif a nation have heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard and hast lived;

GreekΘεοῦ ζῶντος λαλοῦντος ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός, ὃν τρόπον ἀκήκοας σὺ καὶ ἔζησας·

KJVDid ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

JPSDid ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

ThomsonOr hath God come, and made trial to take for Himself a nation out of the midst of a nation, by trials, and by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and with a strong hand, and an outstretched arm, and with great visions, according to all that the Lord our God hath done in Egypt, before thine eyes?

Brentonif God has assayed to go and take to himself a nation out of the midst of another nation with trial, and with signs, and with wonders, and with war, and with a mighty hand, and with a high arm, and with great sights, according to all the things which the Lord our God did in Egypt in thy sight.

Greekεἰ ἐπείρασεν ὁ Θεὸς εἰσελθὼν λαβεῖν ἑαυτῷ ἔθνος ἐκ μέσου ἔθνους ἐν πειρασμῷ, καὶ ἐν σημείοις, καὶ ἐν τέρασι, καὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, καὶ ἐν χειρὶ κραταιᾷ, καὶ ἐν βραχίονι ὑψηλῷ, καὶ ἐν ὁράμασιν μεγάλοις, κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ἐνώπιόν σου βλέποντος·

KJVOr hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

JPSOr hath God assayed to go and take Him a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before thine eyes?

ThomsonSo that thou must needs know that the Lord thy God is very God, and that there is none else besides Him.

BrentonSo that thou shouldest know that the Lord thy God he is God, and there is none beside him.

Greekὥστε εἰδῆσαί σε ὅτι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου οὗτος Θεός ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν αὐτοῦ.

KJVUnto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

JPSUnto thee it was shown, that thou mightiest know that the LORD, He is God; there is none else beside Him.

ThomsonFrom heaven He caused His voice to be heard to instruct thee; and on earth He shewed thee His great fire. And thou hast heard His words out of the midst of the fire.

BrentonHis voice was made audible from heaven to instruct thee, and he shewed thee upon the earth his great fire, and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

GreekἘκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀκουστὴ ἐγένετο ἡ φωνὴ αὐτοῦ παιδεῦσαί σε, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔδειξέ σοι τὸ πῦρ αὐτοῦ τὸ μέγα, καὶ τὰ ῥήματα αὐτοῦ ἤκουσας ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός.

KJVOut of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

JPSOut of heaven He made thee to hear His voice, that He might instruct thee; and upon earth He made thee to see His great fire; and thou didst hear His words out of the midst of the fire.

ThomsonBecause He loved thy fathers, He chose you their seed after them; and by His mighty power He hath brought thee out of Egypt,

BrentonBecause he loved thy fathers, he also chose you their seed after them, and he brought thee himself with his great strength out of Egypt,

GreekΔιὰ τὸ ἀγαπῆσαι αὐτὸν τοὺς πατέρας σου, καὶ ἐξελέξατο τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν μετʼ αὐτοὺς ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἐξήγαγέ σε αὐτὸς ἐν τῇ ἰσχύϊ αὐτοῦ τῇ μεγάλῃ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου,

KJVAnd because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;

JPSAnd because He loved thy fathers, and chose their seed after them, and brought thee out with His presence, with His great power, out of Egypt,

Thomsonto destroy nations greater and mightier than thou art, before thee—to bring thee in, and give thee their land for a possession, as is the case with thee this day.

Brentonto destroy nations great and stronger than thou before thy face, to bring thee in, to give thee their land to inherit, as thou hast it this day.

Greekἐξολοθρεῦσαι ἔθνη μεγάλα καὶ ἰσχυρότερά σου πρὸ προσώπου σου, εἰσαγαγεῖν σε δοῦναί σοι τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν κληρονομεῖν, καθὼς ἔχεις σήμερον.

KJVTo drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day.

JPSto drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day;

ThomsonKnow therefore this day, and revolve it in thy mind, that the Lord thy God is alone God, in the heaven above, and in the earth beneath, and that there is none other besides Him.

BrentonAnd thou shalt know this day, and shalt consider in thine heart, that the Lord thy God he is God in heaven above, and on the earth beneath, and there is none else but he.

GreekΚαὶ γνώσῃ σήμερον, καὶ ἐπιστραφήσῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ, ὅτι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου οὗτος Θεὸς ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κάτω, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν αὐτοῦ.

KJVKnow therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

JPSknow this day, and lay it to thy heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath; there is none else.

ThomsonYou shall therefore keep His commandments, and His rules of rectitude, which I this day give you in charge, that it may be well with thee and with thy children after thee—that you may live long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee forever.

BrentonAnd keep ye his commandments, and his ordinances, all that I command you this day; that it may be well with thee, and with thy sons after thee, that ye may be long-lived upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for ever.

GreekΚαὶ φυλάξασθε τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ, ὅσα ἐγὼ ἀντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον, ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου μετὰ σὲ, ὅπως μακροήμεροι γένησθε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἧς Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας.

KJVThou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

JPSAnd thou shalt keep His statutes, and His commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

ThomsonThen Moses set apart three cities on the side of Jordan, towards the rising of the sun,

BrentonThen Moses separated three cities beyond Jordan on the east,

GreekΤότε ἀφώρισε Μωυσῆς τρεῖς πόλεις πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου,

KJVThen Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;

JPSThen Moses separated three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;

Thomsonfor the slayer to flee to. Whoever should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past, might flee to one of these cities, and live,

Brentonthat the slayer might flee thither, who should have slain his neighbour unintentionally, and should not have hated him in times past, and he shall flee to one of these cities and live:

Greekφυγεῖν ἐκεῖ τὸν φονευτὴν ὃς ἂν φονεύσῃ τὸν πλησίον οὐκ εἰδὼς, καὶ οὗτος οὐ μισῶν αὐτὸν πρὸ τῆς χθὲς καὶ τῆς τρίτης, καὶ καταφεύξεται εἰς μίαν τῶν πόλεων τούτων, καὶ ζήσεται·

KJVThat the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

JPSthat the manslayer might flee thither, that slayeth his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in time past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

Thomsonnamely, Bosor, in the wilderness, in the plain, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth, in Galaaditis, for the Gadites; and Gaulon, in Basan, for the Manassites.

BrentonBosor in the wilderness, in the plain country of Ruben, and Ramoth in Galaad belonging to Gad, and Gaulon in Basan belonging to Manasse.

Greekτὴν Βοσὸρ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν τῇ γῇ τῇ πεδινῇ τῷ Ῥουβήν, καὶ τὴν Ῥαμὼθ ἐν Γαλαὰδ τῷ Γαδδί, καὶ τὴν Γαυλὼν ἐν Βασὰν τῷ Μανασσῄ.

KJVNamely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.

JPS—

ThomsonThis is the law which Moses laid before the children of Israel—

BrentonThis is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel.

GreekΟὗτος ὁ νόμος, ὃν παρέθετο Μωυσῆς ἐνώπιον υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:

JPSAnd this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel;

Thomsonthese are the testimonies, and the rules of rectitude, and the judgments, which Moses delivered in his speech to the Israelites, after they came out of the land of Egypt

BrentonThese are the testimonies, and the ordinances, and the judgments, which Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt:

GreekΤαῦτα τὰ μαρτύρια, καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα, καὶ τὰ κρίματα, ὅσα ἐλάλησε Μωυσῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραήλ, ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου,

KJVThese are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt,

JPSthese are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Moses spoke unto the children of Israel, when they came forth out of Egypt;

Thomsonon the bank of the Jordan, in the vale near the house of Phogor, in the land of Seon, king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Esebon, whom Moses and the Israelites slew after their coming out of the land of Egypt,

Brentonon the other side of Jordan, in the valley near the house of Phogor, in the land of Seon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Esebon, whom Moses and the sons of Israel smote when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Greekἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, ἐν φάραγγι, ἐγγὺς οἴκου Φογώρ, ἐν γῇ Σηὼν βασιλέως τῶν Ἀμοῤῥαίων, ὃς κατῴκει ἐν Ἐσεβὼν, ὅν ἐπάταξε Μωυσῆς, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραήλ, ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου.

KJVOn this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, after they were come forth out of Egypt:

JPSbeyond the Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, when they came forth out of Egypt;

Thomsonwhen they took possession both of this land, and the land of Og, king of Basan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were on the side of the Jordan towards the rising of the sun,

BrentonAnd they inherited his land, and the land of Og king of Basan, two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond Jordan eastward.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκληρονόμησαν τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὴν γῆν Ὢγ βασιλέως τῆς Βασὰν, δύο βασιλέων τῶν Ἀμοῤῥαίων, οἳ ἦσαν πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου κατὰ ἀνατολὰς ἡλίου,

KJVAnd they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, which were on this side Jordan toward the sunrising;

JPSand they took his land in possession, and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;

Thomsonfrom Aroer, which is on the border of the brook Arnon, to the mountain of Seon, which is Aermon,

BrentonFrom Aroer, which is on the border of the brook Arnon, even to the mount of Seon, which is Aermon.

Greekἀπὸ Ἀροὴρ, ἥ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοῦ χείλους χειμάῤῥου Ἀρνών, καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους τοῦ Σηὼν, ὅ ἐστιν Ἀερμὼν,

KJVFrom Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is Hermon,

JPSfrom Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon, even unto mount Sion—the same is Hermon—

Thomsoncomprehending all that part of Araba on the eastern bank of Jordan, below the cliff of Asedoth.

BrentonAll Araba beyond Jordan eastward under Asedoth hewn in the rock.

Greekπᾶσαν τὴν Ἄραβα πέραν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου κατὰ ἀνατολὰς ἡλίου ὑπὸ Ἀσηδὼθ τὴν λαξευτήν.

KJVAnd all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.

JPSand all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.