Chapter 30 of 34

Deuteronomy 30

Every verse twice: in the King James Version, and in the World Bible Guide plain reading — what it says, in words anyone can follow.

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Illustration for the book of Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 30, verse by verse

Each verse is given twice: first in the King James Version, then in the World Bible Guide plain reading.

1

And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

When life's blessings and curses, which I've laid out for you, finally come upon you, and you remember them among all the nations where God has driven you,

2

And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

Come back to God, listen to His voice as I guide you today. You and your children, give Him your whole heart and soul.

3

That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

When you're lost and alone, God will find you. He'll bring you back from wherever you've been scattered, with a heart full of compassion and love.

4

If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

Even if you feel lost or pushed to the farthest edges of existence, God will find you. He will bring you back, no matter where you are.

5

And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

God, your Lord, will guide you back to the land your ancestors once called home. You'll reclaim it, flourish there, and your blessings will surpass those of your forefathers.

6

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

God will touch your heart and the hearts of your descendants, inspiring you to love Him deeply and completely, so that you may truly live.

7

And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

Your God will put all these curses on your enemies, on those who hate you and persecute you.

8

And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

Come back, listen to God's voice, and follow all the instructions He gives you today.

9

And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

God will bless you abundantly in all you do, in your family, your livestock, and your land. He will take joy in your prosperity, just as He did with your ancestors.

10

If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

If you truly listen to God's voice and follow His rules written in His holy book, and if you turn to God with every bit of your heart and soul, then you are on the right path.

11

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

The guidance I'm giving you today isn't a secret or out of reach. It's clear and close to you.

12

It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

It's not hidden in the skies, so don't wonder, "Who will ascend to bring it down for us?" It's here, ready for us to listen and act upon.

13

Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

It's not across the ocean, so don't wonder who'll cross the sea to bring it to us. We can hear it and follow it ourselves.

14

But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

The divine message is closer than you think; it's in your words and feelings, empowering you to act.

15

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

Look, today I've laid out two paths for you - one leads to life and goodness, the other to death and disaster.

16

In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Today, I urge you to passionately love your God, follow His path, and obey His rules for a prosperous life. God will bless you wherever you go to make your home.

17

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

But if your heart strays, refusing to listen, and you're drawn away to bow down to other gods and serve them,

18

I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

I warn you today, with a heavy heart, that your end is near. Your time on this land, beyond the Jordan where you aim to settle, will not be extended.

19

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

I urge the universe to bear witness today, I've laid before you the paths of life and death, blessings and curses. So, choose life, for you and your descendants to thrive.

20

That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Love God with all your heart, listen to His voice, and hold onto Him tightly. He is your life and your future. Live in the land that God promised to your ancestors - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Go on with Deuteronomy 30

Hear it read aloud in the iPhone and iPad app, or bring a question about it to Simon Peter, Paul, Philip, John the Baptist, Judas Iscariot or Jesus. When an answer rests on a passage, you see which one. Each person is an interpretation drawn from the text, never the person.

The chapters of Deuteronomy