Restoration after the Exile

1“When all these things happen to you—both the blessings and the curses that I’ve presented to you—and you take them seriouslya in all the nations where the LORD your God will deport you, 2and when you—you and your descendants, that is—will have returned to himb and obeyed all the commands that I’m giving you today with all your heart and soul, 3then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and will show compassion to you. He will gather you from among the peoples where hec had scattered you. 4Even if the LORD had banished you to the ends of the heavens, the LORD your God will gather you from there 5and he’lld bring you to the land that your ancestors inherited. You’ll possess it, you’ll prosper, and you’ll greatly multiply more than your ancestors did. 6Then the LORD your God will circumcise both your hearts and thosee of your descendants so that you can love himf with your heart and with your soul and therefore live. 7Then the LORD your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate and persecute you.”

Prosperity in Obedience

8“So now, return and obey the LORD your God and observe all his commands that I’m giving you today, 9and the LORD your God will prosper you abundantly in all that you do, along with your children,g your livestock, and the produce of your fields, because the LORD your God will again be delighted with you for good, just as he was delighted with your ancestors, 10if you obey himh and keep his commands and statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, and if you return to himi with all your heart and soul. 11Indeed, these commands that I’m giving you today are neither confusing nor unattainable for you. 12They aren’t in the heavens, so you have to ask, ‘Who’ll go up to the heavens for us and get it for us so we can hear it and act on it?’ 13And they aren’t beyond the seas either, so you have to ask, ‘Who’ll cross the sea and get it for us so we can hear it and act on it?’ 14No, the word is very near you—it’s within your mouth and heart for you to attain.”

Destruction in Disobedience

15“Look! Today I have set before you life and what is good, along with death and what is evil. 16That’s why I’m commanding you today to love the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by observing his commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live long, increase, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are about to enter to possess. 17But if you turn your heart away, and do not obey, but instead if you stray away to worship and serve other gods, 18I’m declaring to you today that you will surely be destroyed. You won’t live longj in the land that you are crossing the Jordan River to enter and possess. 19I call heaven and earth to testify against you today! I’ve set life and death before you today: both blessings and curses. Choose life, that it may be well with you—you and your children. 20Love the LORD your God, obey his voice, and cling to him, because he is your life—even your long life—so that you may live in the land that the LORD promised to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”