Deuteronomy 4:21-31

21 iratusque est Dominus contra me propter sermones vestros et iuravit ut non transirem Iordanem nec ingrederer terram optimam quam daturus est vobis
22 ecce morior in hac humo non transibo Iordanem vos transibitis et possidebitis terram egregiam
23 cave nequando obliviscaris pacti Domini Dei tui quod pepigit tecum et facias tibi sculptam similitudinem eorum quae fieri Dominus prohibuit
24 quia Dominus Deus tuus ignis consumens est Deus aemulator
25 si genueritis filios ac nepotes et morati fueritis in terra deceptique feceritis vobis aliquam similitudinem patrantes malum coram Domino Deo vestro ut eum ad iracundiam provocetis
26 testes invoco hodie caelum et terram cito perituros vos esse de terra quam transito Iordane possessuri estis non habitabitis in ea longo tempore sed delebit vos Dominus
27 atque disperget in omnes gentes et remanebitis pauci in nationibus ad quas vos ducturus est Dominus
28 ibique servietis diis qui hominum manu fabricati sunt ligno et lapidi qui non vident non audiunt non comedunt non odorantur
29 cumque quaesieris ibi Dominum Deum tuum invenies eum si tamen toto corde quaesieris et tota tribulatione animae tuae
30 postquam te invenerint omnia quae praedicta sunt novissimo tempore reverteris ad Dominum Deum tuum et audies vocem eius
31 quia Deus misericors Dominus Deus tuus est non dimittet te nec omnino delebit neque obliviscetur pacti in quo iuravit patribus tuis

Deuteronomy 4:21-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 4

This chapter contains an exhortation to Israel to keep the commands, statutes, and judgments of God, urged from the superior excellency of them to those of all other nations, De 4:1-8, from the manner in which they were delivered, out of the midst of fire, by a voice of words, but no similitude seen, De 4:9-15, and particularly the Israelites are cautioned against idolatry, from the consideration of the goodness of God to them, in bringing them out of Egypt, De 4:16-20, and the rather Moses is urgent upon them to be diligent in their obedience to the laws of God, because he should quickly be removed from them, De 4:21-24, and should they be disobedient to them, it would provoke the Lord to destroy them, or to carry them captive into other lands, De 4:25-28 though even then, if they repented and sought the Lord, and became obedient, he would be merciful to them, and not forsake them, De 4:29-31 and they are put in mind again of the amazing things God had done for them, in speaking to them out of fire, and they alive; in bringing them out of another nation, and driving out other nations to make room for them; all which he improves, as so many arguments to move them to obedience to the divine commands, De 4:32-40 and then notice is taken of the three cities of refuge, separated on this side Jordan, De 4:41-43, and the chapter is concluded with observing, that this is the law, and these the testimonies, Moses declared and repeated to the children of Israel in the country of Sihon and Og, who were delivered into their hands, and their lands possessed by them, which laid them under fresh obligations to yield obedience to God, De 4:44-49.

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.