18. But I will hide myself, and I will conceal my face in that day, because of all the evils that they have done, because they have followed strange gods.
19. And so, write this canticle now, and teach it to the sons of Israel, so that they may retain it in memory, and may chant it by mouth, and so that this verse may be a testimony to me among the sons of Israel.
20. For I will lead them into the land, about which I swore to their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey. And when they have eaten, and have been satiated and fattened, they will turn aside to foreign gods, and they will serve them. And they will disparage me, and they will nullify my covenant.
21. And after many evils and afflictions have overwhelmed them, this canticle will answer them as a testimony; it shall never pass into oblivion, away from the mouths of their offspring. For I know their thoughts and what they are about to do today, even before I lead them into the land which I have promised to them."
22. Therefore, Moses wrote the canticle, and he taught it to the sons of Israel.
23. And the Lord instructed Joshua, the son of Nun, and he said: "Be strong and valiant. For you shall lead the sons of Israel into the land which I have promised, and I will be with you."
24. Therefore, after Moses had written the words of this law in a volume, and had finished it,
25. he instructed the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying:
26. "Take this book, and place it inside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, so that it may be there as a testimony against you.
27. For I know your contentiousness and your very stiff neck. Even while I am still living and entering with you, you have always acted with contention against the Lord. How much more so when I will be dead?