21 then, when all kinds of bad things and misfortunes happen to them, this poem will witness against them, giving its testimony, because it won’t be lost from the mouths of their descendants. Yes, I know right now what they are inclined to do, even before I’ve brought them into the land I swore."
22 So Moses wrote this poem down that very day, and he taught it to the Israelites.
23 Then the Lord commissioned Joshua, Nun’s son: "Be strong and fearless because you are the one who will bring the Israelites to the land I swore to them. I myself will be with you."
24 Once Moses had finished writing in their entirety all the words of this Instruction scroll,
25 he commanded the Levites who carry the chest containing the Lord’s covenant as follows:
26 "Take this Instruction scroll and put it next to the chest containing the Lord your God’s covenant. It must remain there as a witness against you
27 because I know how rebellious and hardheaded you are. If you are this rebellious toward the Lord while I’m still alive, it’s bound to get worse once I’m dead!