Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And when many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” New Living Translation And when great disasters come down on them, this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants. I know the intentions of these people, even now before they have entered the land I swore to give them.” English Standard Version And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.” Berean Standard Bible And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.” Berean Literal Bible And it shall come to pass when many evils and distresses have come upon him, that this song will testify to his face as a witness, for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of his seed. For I know the inclination that he is doing today, even before I bring him to the land of which I have sworn.” King James Bible And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. New King James Version Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them.” New American Standard Bible Then it will come about, when many evils and troubles find them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants); for I know their inclination which they are developing today, before I bring them into the land which I swore.” NASB 1995 “Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.” NASB 1977 “Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.” Legacy Standard Bible Then it will be, when many evils and troubles have found them, that this song will answer them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the mouths of their seed); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.” Amplified Bible Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this [sacred] song will confront them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants. For I know their inclination which is developing even now, before I bring them into the land which I have sworn to give them.” Berean Annotated Bible And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them. Christian Standard Bible And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do, even before I bring them into the land I swore to give them.” Holman Christian Standard Bible And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do, even before I bring them into the land I swore to give them.” American Standard Version And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. Contemporary English Version When I punish the Israelites and their descendants with suffering and disasters, I will remind them that they know the words to this song, so they have no excuse for not obeying me. I will give them the land that I promised, but I know the way they are going to live later on. English Revised Version And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. GOD'S WORD® Translation When many terrible disasters happen to them, this song will testify against them, because it will never be forgotten by their descendants. I know what their hearts are set on doing, even now before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them." Good News Translation and many terrible disasters will come on them. But this song will still be sung, and it will stand as evidence against them. Even now, before I take them into the land that I promised to give them, I know what they are thinking." International Standard Version Then, when many evils and troubles will have come upon them, this song will serve as a witness against them, since their descendants won't fail to sing it. I know the plan that they are devising even before I bring them into the land that I promised them by an oath." NET Bible Then when many disasters and distresses overcome them this song will testify against them, for their descendants will not forget it. I know the intentions they have in mind today, even before I bring them to the land I have promised." New Heart English Bible It shall happen, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore." Webster's Bible Translation And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles have befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness: for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they form, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.” World English Bible 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 promised them.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthen it has been, when many evils and distresses meet it, that this song has testified to its face for a witness; for it is not forgotten out of the mouth of its seed, for I have known its imagining which it is doing today, before I bring them into the land of which I have sworn.” Berean Literal Bible And it shall come to pass when many evils and distresses have come upon him, that this song will testify to his face as a witness, for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of his seed. For I know the inclination that he is doing today, even before I bring him to the land of which I have sworn.” Young's Literal Translation 'And it hath been, when many evils and distresses do meet it, that this song hath testified to its face for a witness; for it is not forgotten out of the mouth of its seed, for I have known its imagining which it is doing to-day, before I bring them in unto the land of which I have sworn.' Smith's Literal Translation And it was when many evils and afflictions shall find him, and this song testified before him for a witness: for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouth of his seed; for I knew his formation which he did this day, before I shall bring him to the land which I sware. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd after many evils and afflictions shall have come upon them, this canticle shall answer them for a testimony, which no oblivion shall take away out of the mouth of their seed. For I know their thoughts, and what they are about to de this day, before that I bring them into the land which I have promised them. Catholic Public Domain Version And after many evils and afflictions have overwhelmed them, this canticle will answer them as a testimony; it shall never pass into oblivion, away from the mouths of their offspring. For I know their thoughts and what they are about to do today, even before I lead them into the land which I have promised to them.” New American Bible then, when great evil and distress befall them, this song will speak to them as a witness, for it will not be forgotten if their descendants recite it. For I know what they are inclined to do even at the present time, before I have brought them into the land which I promised on oath. New Revised Standard Version And when many terrible troubles come upon them, this song will confront them as a witness, because it will not be lost from the mouths of their descendants. For I know what they are inclined to do even now, before I have brought them into the land that I promised them on oath.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when many evils and troubles are befallen them, then this song shall be read before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants; for I know their inclination and all that they do here this day, before I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And whenever many evils and adversities have come upon them, read this song before them for a testimony, that it will not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants, because I know their inclination and all that they are doing here today, until I bring them to the land that I swore to their fathers. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917then it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; for I know their imagination how they do even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And this song shall stand up to witness against them; for they shall not forget it out of their mouth, or out of the mouth of their seed; for I know their wickedness, what they are doing here this day, before I have brought them into the good land, which I sware to their fathers. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God Commissions Joshua…20When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant. 21 And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.” 22So that very day Moses wrote down this song and taught it to the Israelites.… Cross References And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, Deuteronomy 28:15 If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Deuteronomy 28:45-48 All these curses will come upon you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, since you did not obey the LORD your God and keep the commandments and statutes He gave you. / These curses will be a sign and a wonder upon you and your descendants forever. / Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance, … Leviticus 26:14-17 If, however, you fail to obey Me and to carry out all these commandments, / and if you reject My statutes, despise My ordinances, and neglect to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, / then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. … this song will testify against them, Psalm 50:7 “Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. Isaiah 59:12 For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions are indeed with us, and we know our iniquities: Jeremiah 14:7 Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You. because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. Isaiah 59:21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD. Deuteronomy 11:19 Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Psalm 78:4-7 We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. / For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children … For I know their inclination, Genesis 8:21 When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done. Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.” Exodus 3:8 I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Exodus 3:17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’ Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— Exodus 32:7-9 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. / How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. They have sacrificed to it and said, ‘These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’” / The LORD also said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people. Treasury of Scripture And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore. Deuteronomy 31:19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. against [heb] before Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Psalm 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. go about [heb] do Jump to Previous Befallen Evils Imagination Mouths Seed Song Sware Swore Testify Troubles WitnessJump to Next Befallen Evils Imagination Mouths Seed Song Sware Swore Testify Troubles WitnessDeuteronomy 31 1. Moses encourages the people7. He encourages Joshua 9. He delivers the law unto the priests to be read in the seventh year 14. God gives a charge to Joshua 19. and a song to testify against the people 24. Moses delivers the book of the law to the Levites to keep 28. He makes a protestation And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, This phrase anticipates the future disobedience of the Israelites and the resulting consequences. Historically, Israel faced numerous challenges, including invasions and exiles, as a result of turning away from God. This reflects the covenantal relationship where blessings follow obedience and curses follow disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). The troubles serve as a divine discipline intended to bring the people back to God. this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.” Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's message to the people. He is preparing them for his departure and the transition of leadership to Joshua. 2. The Israelites The chosen people of God, who are about to enter the Promised Land. They are the recipients of the warnings and instructions given by Moses. 3. The Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God swore to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It represents God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. 4. The Song of Moses A prophetic song given by God to Moses to teach the Israelites. It serves as a witness against them when they turn away from God. 5. God The sovereign Lord who knows the hearts of His people and foresees their future disobedience. He provides the song as a means of reminding them of His covenant and their responsibilities. Teaching Points The Power of RemembranceThe song serves as a tool for remembrance, reminding the Israelites of God's laws and their covenant with Him. We should also use Scripture to remind ourselves of God's promises and our commitments. God's Omniscience God knows the hearts and future actions of His people. We should live with the awareness that nothing is hidden from God, and strive to align our actions with His will. The Role of Warnings Just as the song warns the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience, we should heed the warnings in Scripture to avoid spiritual pitfalls. Generational Faithfulness The song is meant to be remembered by future generations. We have a responsibility to pass down our faith and the truths of Scripture to the next generation. The Certainty of God's Promises Despite knowing the Israelites' future disobedience, God remains faithful to His promise of the land. We can trust in God's faithfulness even when we falter. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 31:21?2. How does Deuteronomy 31:21 emphasize the importance of remembering God's commandments today? 3. What role does music play in helping us remember God's teachings, as in Deuteronomy? 4. How can we ensure God's words are "not forgotten" in our daily lives? 5. In what ways does Deuteronomy 31:21 connect to the importance of biblical memorization? 6. How can we apply the principle of remembrance from Deuteronomy 31:21 in church? 7. How does Deuteronomy 31:21 demonstrate God's foreknowledge of Israel's future disobedience? 8. What does Deuteronomy 31:21 reveal about the importance of remembering God's commandments? 9. How does Deuteronomy 31:21 relate to the concept of divine prophecy? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 31? 11. What are God's promises in the Bible? 12. How does faith help endure suffering? 13. In 2 Samuel 21:5-6, why does David permit the execution of Saul's descendants if Deuteronomy 24:16 forbids punishing children for a parent's wrongdoing? 14. Why did God command killing Midianites, including children? What Does Deuteronomy 31:21 Mean Many troubles and afflictions have come upon them• Israel’s future included seasons of disobedience that would bring “many troubles and afflictions.” Moses already warned in Deuteronomy 28:15–68 that curses follow covenant breaking. • Judges 2:11–15 records early fulfillment: “The LORD’s anger burned against Israel, and He handed them over to raiders.” • God’s discipline never contradicts His love (Hebrews 12:5–11). It aims to call His people back, not destroy them. This song will testify against them • “This song” refers to the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. Like a legal witness, it reminds Israel of their covenant and the consequences of forsaking God (Deuteronomy 32:1–4). • Psalm 78 functions similarly, rehearsing history to convict hearts. • Revelation 15:3 shows the Song of Moses still sung in heaven, proving its enduring testimony. It will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants • God guarantees the song’s preservation, protecting both its words and its convicting power (Isaiah 40:8). • Even in exile, Israelites remembered the covenant (Daniel 9:11–13). God’s Word embedded in worship songs lodges deeply in collective memory (Colossians 3:16). • The endurance of Scripture through centuries—despite persecution and dispersion—confirms this promise. I know their inclination • The Lord declares perfect knowledge of His people’s hearts (Psalm 139:1–4). Nothing surprises Him. • John 2:25 says Jesus “knew what was in man,” echoing this divine omniscience. • God’s foreknowledge intensifies His grace: He chooses to covenant with a people He knows will wander (Romans 5:8). Before I bring them into the land I swore to give them • Grace precedes possession. Even before Israel steps into Canaan (Joshua 1:2–3), God prepares a safeguard against future rebellion. • Genesis 15:18 contains the original oath; Deuteronomy 7:7–9 emphasizes that the promise rests on God’s faithfulness, not Israel’s merit. • By establishing the song beforehand, the Lord equips every generation with a roadmap back to covenant fidelity (2 Chronicles 7:14). summary God foresees Israel’s future failures, yet in mercy provides a song that will echo through generations, calling His people to repentance. Troubles serve as loving discipline, the song serves as a faithful witness, and God’s foreknowledge showcases His steadfast commitment to the covenant He swore. (21) This song . . . shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed.--And it is not forgotten now. St. Paul made special use of it in the last days of the second Temple. This song is a favourite piece of Hebrew poetry to this day. Rashi observes: "This is a promise to Israel that the law shall not be utterly forgotten by their seed."I know their imagination.--Heb., yetzer, the same word employed in Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21. It is the word commonly used in Rabbinical literature for the evil nature or good nature in any man. The nature which they are forming, or making, this day, would be a literal rendering of the sentence in this verse. And yet with all this, He made Balaam say, "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob nor seen perverseness in Israel" (Numbers 23:21). Comp. 1Chronicles 28:9, "The Lord . . . understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts," and Psalm 103:14, "He knoweth our frame (yetzer); He remembereth that we are dust." . . . Hebrew And whenכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction many רַבּוֹת֮ (rab·bō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 7227: Much, many, great troubles רָע֣וֹת (rā·‘ō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 7451: Bad, evil and afflictions וְצָרוֹת֒ (wə·ṣā·rō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 6869: Tightness, a female rival have come upon them, תִמְצֶ֨אןָ (ṯim·ṣe·nā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present this הַזֹּ֤את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, song הַשִּׁירָ֨ה (haš·šî·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7892: A song, singing will testify וְ֠עָנְתָה (wə·‘ā·nə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond against them, לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face because כִּ֛י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction it will not be forgotten תִשָּׁכַ֖ח (ṯiš·šā·ḵaḥ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention from the lips מִפִּ֣י (mip·pî) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of their descendants. זַרְע֑וֹ (zar·‘ōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity For כִּ֧י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I know יָדַ֣עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3045: To know their inclination, יִצְר֗וֹ (yiṣ·rōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3336: A form, framing, purpose even before בְּטֶ֣רֶם (bə·ṭe·rem) Preposition-b | Adverb Strong's 2962: Non-occurrence, not yet, before I bring אֲבִיאֶ֔נּוּ (’ă·ḇî·’en·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go them into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the land הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land I swore to give them.” נִשְׁבָּֽעְתִּי׃ (niš·bā·‘ə·tî) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear Links Deuteronomy 31:21 NIVDeuteronomy 31:21 NLT Deuteronomy 31:21 ESV Deuteronomy 31:21 NASB Deuteronomy 31:21 KJV Deuteronomy 31:21 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 31:21 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 31:21 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 31:21 French Bible Deuteronomy 31:21 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 31:21 It shall happen when many evils (Deut. 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