1 O my people, listen to my instructions.

Open your ears to what I am saying,

2 for I will speak to you in a parable.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—

3 stories we have heard and known,

stories our ancestors handed down to us.

4 We will not hide these truths from our children;

we will tell the next generation

about the glorious deeds of the Lord,

about his power and his mighty wonders.

5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;

he gave his instructions to Israel.

He commanded our ancestors

to teach them to their children,

6 so the next generation might know them—

even the children not yet born—

and they in turn will teach their own children.

7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,

not forgetting his glorious miracles

and obeying his commands.

8 Then they will not be like their ancestors—

stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,

refusing to give their hearts to God.