Deuteronomy 4:6
New International Version
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

New Living Translation
Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’

English Standard Version
Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

New American Standard Bible
So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

NASB 1995
“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

NASB 1977
“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Amplified Bible
So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Christian Standard Bible
Carefully follow them, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Carefully follow them, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Faithfully obey these laws. This will show the people of the world your wisdom and insight. When they hear about all these laws, they will say, "What wise and insightful people there are in this great nation!"

Good News Translation
Obey them faithfully, and this will show the people of other nations how wise you are. When they hear of all these laws, they will say, 'What wisdom and understanding this great nation has!'

International Standard Version
Observe them carefully, because this will show your wisdom and discernment in the eyes of people who'll listen to all these decrees. Then they'll say: 'Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people.'

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
So be sure to do them, because this will testify of your wise understanding to the people who will learn of all these statutes and say, "Indeed, this great nation is a very wise people."

New Heart English Bible
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."

Webster's Bible Translation
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which will hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have kept and done [them] (for it [is] your wisdom and your understanding) before the eyes of the peoples who hear all these statutes, and they have said, Surely a people wise and understanding [is] this great nation.

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have kept and done them (for it is your wisdom and your understanding) before the eyes of the peoples who hear all these statutes, and they have said, Only, a people wise and understanding is this great nation.

Smith's Literal Translation
And watch and do: for it is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the peoples who shall hear all these laws, and say, Only this great nation a wise and understanding people.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall observe, and fulfil them in practice. For this is your wisdom, and understanding in the sight of nations, that hearing all these precepts, they may say: Behold a wise and understanding people, a great nation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall observe and fulfill these in practice. For this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, so that, upon hearing all these precepts, they may say: ‘Lo, a wise and understanding people, a great nation.’

New American Bible
Observe them carefully, for this is your wisdom and discernment in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “This great nation is truly a wise and discerning people.”

New Revised Standard Version
You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall keep them, 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 will say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall keep and you shall do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the nations who will hear all of these laws, and they shall say: ‘This great people is wise and learned.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Observe therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, that, when they hear all these statutes, shall say: 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye shall keep and do them: for this is your wisdom and understanding before all nations, as many as shall hear all these ordinances; and they shall say, Behold, this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
An Exhortation to Obedience
5See, 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. 6Observe 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.” 7For 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?…

Cross References
James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

1 Kings 4:29-34
And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. / Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations. ...

Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Luke 21:15
For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Job 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

Isaiah 33:6
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

this is your

Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Surely

1 Kings 4:34
And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 10:6-9
And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom…

Psalm 119:99
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

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Deuteronomy 4
1. An exhortation to obedience
41. Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan
44. Recapitulation














Observe them carefully
The command to "observe them carefully" emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's laws. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses is reiterating the laws given to the Israelites. This careful observance is not just about legalistic adherence but a heartfelt commitment to God's covenant. The Hebrew word for "observe" implies guarding or keeping, suggesting a protective and diligent attitude towards God's commandments. This reflects the broader biblical theme of obedience as a demonstration of faith, seen in passages like James 1:22, which calls believers to be doers of the word.

for this will show your wisdom and understanding
The wisdom and understanding referenced here are not merely intellectual but are deeply spiritual, rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). The Israelites' adherence to God's laws was meant to set them apart from other nations, showcasing a divine wisdom that surpasses human understanding. This wisdom is a type of Christ, who is described as the wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians 1:24. The laws were a foreshadowing of the perfect wisdom embodied in Jesus.

in the sight of the peoples
The phrase "in the sight of the peoples" indicates that Israel's obedience was meant to be a testimony to the surrounding nations. This public display of faithfulness was intended to draw others to the knowledge of the one true God. The geographical context of Israel, situated at the crossroads of ancient civilizations, made it a strategic location for such a witness. This anticipates the New Testament call for believers to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

who will hear of all these statutes
The statutes refer to the detailed laws given to Israel, encompassing moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects. The hearing of these statutes by other nations suggests that Israel's reputation would spread beyond its borders. Historically, Israel's unique legal system, which included provisions for justice, mercy, and social welfare, was unlike any other in the ancient Near East. This distinctiveness was meant to provoke curiosity and admiration among other peoples.

and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
The acknowledgment by other nations that Israel is a "great nation" highlights the intended impact of their obedience. This greatness is not due to military might or economic power but is attributed to their relationship with God and adherence to His laws. The phrase echoes the Abrahamic promise that through Israel, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). It also points forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, through whom all nations are invited into the wisdom and understanding of God's kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who delivered God's laws and commandments to the people. He is the speaker in this passage, urging the Israelites to follow God's statutes.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are being instructed to observe God's laws as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites are on the brink of entering this land.

4. The Nations
The surrounding peoples who will observe Israel's adherence to God's laws and recognize their wisdom and understanding.

5. God's Statutes and Laws
The commandments given by God to the Israelites, which are meant to guide their conduct and set them apart as a holy nation.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
Observing God's laws is not just about legalism but about demonstrating wisdom and understanding. Our obedience can be a testimony to others.

Wisdom as a Witness
The way we live out our faith can attract others to God. When we follow His commandments, we reflect His wisdom to the world.

God's Laws as a Blessing
The statutes given by God are meant to be a blessing, guiding us to live in a way that honors Him and benefits us.

Community Impact
Our collective obedience as a community of believers can have a powerful impact on those around us, drawing them to inquire about our faith.

Reflecting God's Character
By living according to God's laws, we reflect His character and holiness, setting us apart as His people.(6) This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations.--The laws of Jehovah in Israel, and the constant presence of Jehovah with Israel, would make an impression upon the world that it would not be easy to resist. For, he adds, "what nation is there so great, that hath God so nigh unto them?"



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Observe them
וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֒ (wa·‘ă·śî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

carefully,
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֮ (ū·šə·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this
הִ֤וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will show your wisdom
חָכְמַתְכֶם֙ (ḥā·ḵə·maṯ·ḵem)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

and understanding
וּבִ֣ינַתְכֶ֔ם (ū·ḇî·naṯ·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 998: An understanding

in the sight
לְעֵינֵ֖י (lə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the peoples,
הָעַמִּ֑ים (hā·‘am·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

shall hear
יִשְׁמְע֗וּן (yiš·mə·‘ūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

of all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

these
הָאֵ֔לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

statutes
הַחֻקִּ֣ים (ha·ḥuq·qîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute

and say,
וְאָמְר֗וּ (wə·’ā·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Surely
רַ֚ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

great
הַגָּד֖וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

nation
הַגּ֥וֹי (hag·gō·w)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

[is] a wise
חָכָ֣ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

and understanding
וְנָב֔וֹן (wə·nā·ḇō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

people.?
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do them (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 4:5
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