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Thursday, September 11th, 2025
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
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New Century Version

Deuteronomy 31:21

Then when many troubles and terrible things happen to them, this song will testify against them, because the song will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they plan to do, even before I take them into the land I promised them."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Backsliders;   Death;   God Continued...;   Heart;   Idolatry;   Minister, Christian;   Secret;   Sin;   Word of God;   Scofield Reference Index - Israel;   Thompson Chain Reference - Evil;   Imagination, Evil;   Mind, Carnal-Spiritual;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Forgiveness;   Prophet, Christ as;   Testimony;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Hilkiah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Joshua;   Moloch;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Deuteronomy, the Book of;   Imagination;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Deuteronomy;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Answer;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Go;   Imagination;   Moses;   Witness;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Hafṭarah;   Joshua, Book of;   Sidra;   Song of Moses;   Yeẓer Ha-Ra';  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do, even before I bring them into the land I swore to give them.”
Hebrew Names Version
It shall happen, when many evils and troubles are come on them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.
King James Version
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
Lexham English Bible
And then many disasters and troubles will come upon them, and this song will give evidence before them as a witness, because it will not be forgotten from out of the mouth of their descendants, for I know their inclination that they are having today before I have brought them into the land that I swore."
English Standard Version
And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give."
New English Translation
Then when many disasters and distresses overcome them this song will testify against them, for their descendants will not forget it. I know the intentions they have in mind today, even before I bring them to the land I have promised."
Amplified Bible
"Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this [sacred] song will confront them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants. For I know their inclination which is developing even now, before I bring them into the land which I have sworn to give them."
New American Standard Bible
"Then it will come about, when many evils and troubles find them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants); for I know their inclination which they are developing today, before I bring them into the land which I swore."
Geneva Bible (1587)
And then when many aduersities and tribulations shall come vpon them, this song shall answere them to their face as a witnesse: for it shall not be forgotte out of the mouthes of their posteritie: for I knowe their imagination, which they goe about euen now, before I haue brought them into the lande which I sware.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then it will be, when many evils and troubles have found them, that this song will answer them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the mouths of their seed); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore."
Contemporary English Version
When I punish the Israelites and their descendants with suffering and disasters, I will remind them that they know the words to this song, so they have no excuse for not obeying me. I will give them the land that I promised, but I know the way they are going to live later on.
Complete Jewish Bible
then, after many calamities and troubles have come upon them, this song will testify before them as a witness, because their descendants will still be reciting it and will not have forgotten it. For I know how they think even now, even before I have brought them into the land about which I swore."
Darby Translation
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles have befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; for I know their imagination which they are forming already this day, before I bring them into the land which I have sworn [unto them].
Easy-to-Read Version
Then many terrible things will happen to them. They will have many troubles. At that time their descendants will still know this song, and it will show them how wrong they are. I have not yet taken them into the land I promised to give them. But I already know what they are planning to do there."
George Lamsa Translation
And when many evils and troubles are befallen them, then this song shall be read before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants; for I know their inclination and all that they do here this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers.
Good News Translation
and many terrible disasters will come on them. But this song will still be sung, and it will stand as evidence against them. Even now, before I take them into the land that I promised to give them, I know what they are thinking."
Literal Translation
And it shall be, when many evils and distresses have found them, this song shall testify against them as a witness. For it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed. For I know their imagination which they are making today, beforeI bring them into the land which I have sworn.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And so whan moch myschefe and tribulacion is come vpon them, this songe shall answere before them for a witnesse. It shall not be forgotten out of the mouth of their sede: for I knowe their ymaginacion, that they go aboute euen now, before I brynge them in to the londe, which I sware vnto them.
American Standard Version
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
Bible in Basic English
Then when evils and troubles without number have overtaken them, this song will be a witness to them, for the words of it will be clear in the memories of their children: for I see the thoughts which are moving in their hearts even now, before I have taken them into the land of my oath.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And when much mischiefe and tribulation is come vpon them, this song shall aunswere them as a witnesse: For it shall not be forgotten out of the mouthes of their seede: for I knowe their imagination, which they go about euen nowe, before I haue brought the into the lande which I sware.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
then it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; for I know their imagination how they do even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.'
King James Version (1611)
And it shall come to passe, when many euils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testifie against them as a witnesse: for it shall not bee forgotten out of the mouthes of their seed: for I know their imagination which they goe about euen now, before I haue brought them into the land, which I sware.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And this song shall stand up to witness against them; for they shall not forget it out of their mouth, or out of the mouth of their seed; for I know their wickedness, what they are doing here this day, before I have brought them into the good land, which I sware to their fathers.
English Revised Version
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
Berean Standard Bible
And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land I swore to give them."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Aftir that many yuels and turmentyngis han founde hym, this song schal answere hym for witnessing, which song no foryetyng schal do awey fro the mouth of thi seed. For Y knowe the thouytis therof to day, what thingis it schal do, bifore that Y bringe it in to the lond which Y bihiyte to it.
Young's Literal Translation
`And it hath been, when many evils and distresses do meet it, that this song hath testified to its face for a witness; for it is not forgotten out of the mouth of its seed, for I have known its imagining which it is doing to-day, before I bring them in unto the land of which I have sworn.'
Update Bible Version
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles come on them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.
Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles have befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness: for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they form, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.
World English Bible
It shall happen, when many evils and troubles are come on them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.
New King James Version
Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them."
New Living Translation
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."
New Life Bible
When many hard things and big troubles come upon them, this song will speak for Me against them. It will not be forgotten from the lips of their children and their children's children. I know the plans they are making today, before I have brought them into the land I promised them."
New Revised Standard
And when many terrible troubles come upon them, this song will confront them as a witness, because it will not be lost from the mouths of their descendants. For I know what they are inclined to do even now, before I have brought them into the land that I promised them on oath."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it shall come to pass, when many calamities and misfortunes shall find them out, then shall this Song respond to their face, as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouth of their seed, for I know their imagination, which they are forming to-day, ere yet I bring them into the land of which I sware unto their fathers.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And after many evils and afflictions shall have come upon them, this canticle shall answer them for a testimony, which no oblivion shall take away out of the mouth of their seed. For I know their thoughts, and what they are about to do this day, before that I bring them into the land which I have promised them.
Revised Standard Version
And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their descendants); for I know the purposes which they are already forming, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore."

Contextual Overview

14 The Lord said to Moses, "Soon you will die. Get Joshua and come to the Meeting Tent so that I may command him." So Moses and Joshua went to the Meeting Tent. 15 The Lord appeared at the Meeting Tent in a cloud; the cloud stood over the entrance of the Tent. 16 And the Lord said to Moses, "You will soon die. Then these people will not be loyal to me but will worship the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will leave me, breaking the Agreement I made with them. 17 Then I will become very angry at them, and I will leave them. I will turn away from them, and they will be destroyed. Many terrible things will happen to them. Then they will say, ‘It is because God is not with us that these terrible things are happening.' 18 I will surely turn away from them then, because they have done wrong and have turned to other gods. 19 "Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites. Then have them sing it, because it will be my witness against them. 20 When I bring them into the land I promised to their ancestors, a fertile land, they will eat as much as they want and get fat. Then they will turn to other gods and serve them. They will reject me and break my Agreement. 21 Then when many troubles and terrible things happen to them, this song will testify against them, because the song will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they plan to do, even before I take them into the land I promised them."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

this song: A sacred song, appointed to be composed by Moses, doubtless under divine inspiration; which the people were required to learn, and teach to their children from generation to generation. Deuteronomy 31:19

against: Heb. before

I know: Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Psalms 139:2, Isaiah 46:10, Ezekiel 38:10, Ezekiel 38:11, Hosea 5:3, Hosea 13:5, Hosea 13:6, Amos 5:25, Amos 5:26, John 2:24, John 2:25, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:28

go about: Heb. do

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:44 - a witness Exodus 14:3 - Pharaoh Joshua 24:27 - General 2 Kings 17:13 - testified 1 Chronicles 28:9 - the imaginations Nehemiah 9:29 - testifiedst Nehemiah 9:34 - thou didst Nehemiah 9:35 - fat land Isaiah 34:16 - Seek Isaiah 66:18 - I know Jeremiah 35:17 - Behold Jeremiah 42:19 - admonished you Daniel 10:14 - in the Amos 5:12 - I know Zechariah 11:11 - knew Galatians 5:3 - testify

Cross-References

Genesis 2:14
The third river, named Tigris, flows out of Assyria toward the east. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
Genesis 15:18
So on that day the Lord made an agreement with Abram and said, "I will give to your descendants the land between the river of Egypt and the great river Euphrates.
Genesis 31:2
Then Jacob noticed that Laban was not as friendly as he had been before.
Genesis 31:3
The Lord said to Jacob, "Go back to the land where your ancestors lived, and I will be with you."
Genesis 31:8
When Laban said, ‘You can have all the speckled animals as your pay,' all the animals gave birth to speckled young ones. But when he said, ‘You can have all the streaked animals as your pay,' all the flocks gave birth to streaked babies.
Genesis 31:9
So God has taken the animals away from your father and has given them to me.
Genesis 31:23
so he gathered his relatives and began to chase him. After seven days Laban found him in the mountains of Gilead.
Genesis 31:51
Here is the pile of rocks that I have put between us and here is the rock I set up on end.
Genesis 31:53
Let the God of Abraham, who is the God of Nahor and the God of their ancestors, punish either of us if we break this agreement." So Jacob made a promise in the name of the God whom his father Isaac worshiped.
Genesis 37:25
While Joseph was in the well, the brothers sat down to eat. When they looked up, they saw a group of Ishmaelites traveling from Gilead to Egypt. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them,.... As did in the times of the judges, in the Babylonish captivity, and do now in their present exile:

that this song shall testify against them as a witness; which so clearly points at their sins, with all their aggravated circumstances, and describes so fully their calamities, distresses, and punishment for them:

for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; which shows that it respects time to come, their later posterity, whose memory of this song would be conjured up by the evils that should come upon them for their sins; nor is it forgotten by them to this day, who acknowledge there are some things in it now fulfilled or fulfilling in them:

for I know their imagination which they go about even now: or are "making" c; forming and framing within themselves, there being a secret inclination in their minds to idolatry, which were working and contriving schemes to bring it about, and set it up; and this, God, the searcher of hearts, knew full well, and that in process of time this evil imagination would break forth into act, in an open and flagrant manner:

before I have brought thee into the land which I sware; to their fathers, to give it to them for an inheritance, as is suggested in

Deuteronomy 31:20.

c עשה "faciens", Montanus; "quam facit", Pagninus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The transaction recorded in these verses may be regarded as the solemn inauguration of Joshua to the office to which he had some time before Numbers 27:22 been called, and his recognition in it by God, which were manifested by his being summoned into the tabernacle with Moses while the Lord appeared in the pillar of cloud (compare Numbers 11:25; Numbers 12:5).

Deuteronomy 31:16

The future apostasy of the people is announced in the presence of Joshua that the latter might be fully aware of the danger and strive in his day to avert it. This he faithfully did (compare Joshua 24:31); but we find him in his own last address to Israel repeating Joshua 23:15-16 the self-same prediction and warning.

Deuteronomy 31:19

A witness for me against them - i. e., an attestation from their own mouths at once of God’s benefits, their own duties, and their deserts when they should fall away. Being in verse it would be the more easily learned and kept in memory. The use of songs for such didactic purposes was not unknown to the legislators of antiquity. Compare also the advice of Paul, “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” Colossians 3:16.

Deuteronomy 31:23

He gave - i. e., the Lord gave.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Deuteronomy 31:21. This song shall testify against them — Because in it their general defection is predicted, but in such a way as to show them how to avoid the evil; and if they did not avoid the evil, and the threatened punishment should come upon them, then the song should testify against them, by showing that they had been sufficiently warned, and might have lived to God, and so escaped those disasters.


 
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