Deuteronomy 31:21

19 Now therefore, write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that it may be a witness for Me against them.

20 When 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.

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.”

22 So that very day Moses wrote down this song and taught it to the Israelites.

23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.”
KJV
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.
WEB
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.”
ASV
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.
DARBY
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 are forming already this day, before I bring them into the land which I have sworn [unto them].
BLB
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.”
ÅB
Når da mange ulykker og trengsler kommer over dem, da skal denne sang lyde for dem som et vitne - den skal ikke glemmes hos dem som kommer etter, og ikke dø i deres munn. For jeg kjenner de tanker som de går med allerede nå, før jeg fører dem inn i det land jeg har tilsvoret dem.
OTB
Når mange ulykker og katastrofer kommer over dem, vil denne sangen vitne mot dem, fordi den ikke vil bli glemt av deres etterkommere. Jeg vet hva de er tilbøyelige til å gjøre, selv før Jeg fører dem inn i det landet Jeg sverget til dem.»
B1930
Når da mange ulykker og trengsler kommer over dem, da skal denne sang lyde for dem som et vidne - den skal ikke glemmes hos dem som kommer efter, og ikke dø i deres munn. For jeg kjenner de tanker som de går med allerede nu, før jeg fører dem inn i det land jeg har tilsvoret dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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