Have Respect for the Lord

12And now, Israel, what is the Lord your God asking you to do? Have respect for him. Live exactly as he wants you to live. Love him. Serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. 13Obey the Lord’s commands and rules. I’m giving them to you today for your own good.

14The heavens belong to the Lord your God. Even the highest heavens belong to him. He owns the earth and everything in it.

15But the Lord loved your people very much long ago. You are their children. And he chose you above all of the other nations. His love and his promise remain with you to this very day. 16So don’t let your hearts be stubborn anymore. Obey the Lord.

17The Lord your God is the greatest God of all. He is the greatest Lord of all. He is the great God. He is mighty and wonderful. He treats everyone the same. He doesn’t accept any money from those who want special favors. 18He stands up for widows and for children whose fathers have died. He loves outsiders. He gives them food and clothes. 19So you also must love outsiders. Remember that you yourselves were outsiders in Egypt.

20Have respect for the Lord your God. Serve him. Remain true to him. When you make promises, take your oaths in his name. 21He is the one you should praise. He’s your God. With your own eyes you saw the great and wonderful miracles he did for you.

22Long ago, your people went down into Egypt. The total number of them was 70. And now the Lord your God has made you as many as the stars in the sky.