Deuteronomy 31:13

Verse

Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

American Standard Version (1901)

and that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear Jehovah your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it.

Bible in Basic English

And so that your children, to whom it is new, may give ear and be trained in the fear of the Lord your God, while you are living in the land which you are going over Jordan to take for your heritage.

Douay-Rheims 1899

That their children also, who now are ignorant, may hear, and fear the Lord their God, all the days that they lire in the land whither you are going over the Jordan to possess it.

Free Bible Version

Then their children who don't know the law will listen and learn to respect the Lord your God as the whole time you live in the country that you are going to take over after you cross the Jordan.

Geneva Bible 1599

And that their children which haue not knowen it, may heare it, and learne to feare the Lord your God, as long as ye liue in the lande, whither ye goe ouer Iorden to possesse it.

King James (Authorized) Version

And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

One Unity Resource Bible

and that their children, who have not known, may sh'ma ·hear obey·, and learn to fear Adonai your God, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan [Descender] to possess it.” (RY:6, LY:5)

Translation for Translators

If they do that, your descendants who have never known these laws will hear them and will also learn to revere Yahweh our God, during all the years that they live in the land that you are about to cross the Jordan River to occupy.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Do this so that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to honor Yahweh your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

Noah Webster Bible

And that their children who have not known any thing , may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

World English Bible

and that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to fear Yahweh your God, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”

Young's Literal Translation

and their sons, who have not known, do hear, and have learned to fear Jehovah your God all the days which ye are living on the ground whither ye are passing over the Jordan to possess it.'

Context

The Reading of the Law

¹²Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.¹³Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Summary

In this verse, Moses instructs the Levitical priests to gather the people, including women, children, and foreigners, to hear the law read every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles. This command emphasizes the importance of passing down God's word to all generations, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or social status, is knowledgeable about His laws. By including everyone in the reading of the law, God's covenant is reaffirmed, and the community is united in obedience and reverence for His commandments. This practice serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the need for continual instruction and adherence to His statutes.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the Lord said unto Moses,.... Either at the same time, or quickly after; rather, perhaps, the same day: behold, thy days approach that thou must die; which does not necessarily imply that he had some days to live, though but few; but that the time of his death drew nigh, his last moments were approaching; the time of his death being, as every man's is, fixed by the Lord, with whom is the number of his years, months, days, and moments, beyond which he cannot pass, Job 14:5, call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge; this looks as if the people had been dismissed after the above exhortations given; and now Joshua was called, and Moses with him, to have a charge given him: and Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation; before the Lord. Aben Ezra says, Moses went from the camp of Israel where he was, to the camp of the Shechinah; the Jews pretend to know in what form they walked thither. Moses, they say (a), went on the left hand of Joshua; and they went to the tabernacle, and the pillar of cloud descended and separated between them. (a) Debarim Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 244. 2.