Deuteronomy 4:6
4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you.
5 See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess.
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
7 For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
8 And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
- KJV
- Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
- WEB
- Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who shall hear all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
- ASV
- Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, that shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
- DARBY
- And ye shall keep and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the peoples that shall hear all these statutes, and say, Verily this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
- BLB
- Therefore, be careful and observe [them], for that [is] your⁺ wisdom and your⁺ understanding in the eyes of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, “Surely a wise and understanding people [is] this great nation.”
- ÅB
- Så skal dere da ta vare på dem og holde dem; det vil bli regnet for visdom og forstand hos dere av andre folk; for når de får høre om alle disse lover, vil de si: Sannelig, et vist og forstandig folk er dette store folk.
- OTB
- Hold dem nøye, for dette vil vise deres visdom og forstand for folkene, som vil høre om alle disse forskriftene og si: “Sannelig, dette store folket er et vist og forstandig folk.”
- B1930
- Så skal I da ta vare på dem og holde dem; det vil bli regnet for visdom og forstand hos eder av andre folk; for når de får høre om alle disse lover, vil de si: Sannelig, et vist og forstandig folk er dette store folk.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!
Read in contextJob 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Read in context2 Timothy 3:15
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Read in contextProverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Read in context1 Kings 10:6–9
She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.
Read in contextPsalms 19:7
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Read in context1 Kings 4:34
So men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
Read in contextJeremiah 8:9
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?
Read in context