17. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our God is not amongst us?’
18. I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.
19. “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
20. For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat; then they will turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.
21. It will happen, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this song will testify before them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants; for I know their ways and what they are doing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.”
22. So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel.
23. He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you.”
24. When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
25. Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the Lord’s covenant, saying,
26. “Take this scroll of the Torah, and put it by the side of the ark of the Lord your God’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you.
27. For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death?
28. Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
29. For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days; because you will do that which is evil in the Lord’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”
30. Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.