Had finished speaking all these words to all Israel: see 31.36; 32.44.

Lay to heart: that is, “cherish,” “memorize,” “remember,” “meditate on.” Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje has “Think seriously,” and Contemporary English Version has “Always remember.”

All the words which I enjoin upon you this day: it is difficult to say whether all the words here means the words of the song that Moses has just recited, or some or all of the earlier part of the book of Deuteronomy. To enjoin means to direct, order, command; it is more than to advise or recommend.

In keeping with the parallel passages 4.26; 30.19; 31.28, New Revised Standard Version translates “Take to heart all the words that I am giving in witness against you this day” (see Revised English Bible “all the warnings”). It is recommended that translators follow this interpretation of the text; otherwise they should feel free to follow the Good News Translation translation, “Be sure to obey all these commands that I have given you today.”

You may command them to your children: see 4.9.

That they may be careful to do all the words of this law: this means all the teachings in the book of Deuteronomy (see this law in 1.5); so Contemporary English Version has “everything written in The Book of God’s Law.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .