1. These are the devarim (words) which Moshe spoke unto kol Yisroel on the far side of the Yarden in the midbar, in the Aravah opposite Suf between Paran, and Tophel, and Lavan, and Chatzerot, and Di-Zahav.
2. (There is eleven days' journey from Chorev unto Kadesh-Barnea by way of Mount Seir.)
3. And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moshe spoke unto the Bnei Yisroel, according unto all that Hashem had given him in commandment unto them,
4. After he had slain Sichon Melech HaEmori, which dwelt in Cheshbon, and Og Melech HaBashan, which dwelt in Ashtarot at Edre'i;
5. On the far side of the Yarden, in Eretz Moav, began Moshe to expound this torah, saying,
6. Hashem Eloheinu spoke unto us in Chorev, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough at this mountain;
7. Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the Har HaEmori (hill country of the Amorites), and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the Aravah, in the hills, in the Shefelah, and in the Negev, and by the seacoast, to the Eretz HaKena'ani (Land of the Canaanites), and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
8. See, I have set ha'aretz (the land) before you; go in and possess ha'aretz which Hashem swore unto Avoteichem, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya'akov, to give unto them and to their zera after them.
9. And I spoke unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear the burden of you by myself alone;
10. Hashem Eloheichem hath multiplied you, and, see, ye are today as numerous as the kokhavei HaShomayim.
11. (Hashem Elohei Avoteichem increase you a thousand times over and bless you, as He hath promised you!)
12. How can I myself alone bear your problems, and your massa and your strife?
13. Take you anashim chachamim, men of wisdom and understanding, who are known among your tribes, and I will set them over you.
14. And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is tov for us to do.
15. So I took the leaders of your tribes, anashim chachamim, men of understanding, and made them heads over you, over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens, shoterim among your tribes.
16. And I charged your shofetim at that time, saying, Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the ger that is with him.
17. Ye shall not respect persons in mishpat but ye shall hear the katon as well as the gadol; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the mishpat is Elohim's: and the case that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.