1. At that time the Lord said to me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first ones. Then come up to me on the mountain. Also make a wooden ark.
2. I will write on the tablets the same words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Put the new tablets in the ark.”
3. So I made the ark out of acacia wood. And I cut out two stone tablets like the first ones. Then I went up on the mountain. I had the two tablets in my hands.
4. The Lord wrote the same things on these tablets he had written before. He wrote the Ten Commandments. He had told them to you on the mountain from the fire. This was on the day you were gathered there. And the Lord gave them to me.
5. Then I turned and came down the mountain. I put the tablets in the ark I had made. That is what the Lord had commanded. The tablets are still there in the ark.
6. (The people of Israel went from the wells of the Jaakanites to Moserah. There Aaron died and was buried. Aaron’s son Eleazar became priest in Aaron’s place.
7. From Moserah they went to Gudgodah. From Gudgodah they went to Jotbathah, a place with streams of water.
8. At that time the Lord chose the tribe of Levi. They were to carry the Ark of the Covenant with the Lord. They were to serve the Lord. They were to bless the people in the Lord’s name. They still do this today.
9. That is why the Levites did not receive any land to own. Instead, they received the Lord himself as their gift. This is what the Lord your God told them.)
10. I stayed on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights just like the first time. And the Lord listened to me this time also. He did not want to destroy you.
11. The Lord said to me, “Go. Lead the people. They will go in and take the land I promised their ancestors.”
12. Now, Israel, this is what the Lord wants you to do. Respect the Lord your God. Do what he has told you to do. Love him. Serve the Lord your God with your whole being.
13. And obey the Lord’s commands and laws. I am giving them to you today for your own good.
14. The Lord owns the world and everything in it. The heavens, even the highest heavens, are his.
15. But the Lord cared for and loved your ancestors. And he chose you, their descendants. He chose you over all the other nations. And it is this way today.
16. Give yourselves to serving the Lord. Do not be stubborn any longer.
17. The Lord your God is God of all gods. He is the Lord of all lords. He is the great God. He is strong and wonderful. He does not take sides. And he will not be talked into doing evil.
18. He helps orphans and widows. He loves foreigners. He gives them food and clothes.
19. You also must love foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.
20. Respect the Lord your God and serve him. Be loyal to him. Make your promises in his name.
21. You should praise him. He is your God. He has done great and wonderful things for you. You have seen them with your own eyes.
22. There were only 70 of your ancestors when they went down to Egypt. Now the Lord your God has made you as many as the stars in the sky.