With the beginning of a new section, translators are advised to reintroduce Moses as the speaker.

These nations, which you are about to dispossess: see 9.1; 11.23; 12.2, 29.

Give heed to: this means “pay attention to,” that is, “consult,” “go to them for advice.”

To soothsayers and to diviners: see 18.11.

The LORD your God has not allowed you so to do: God has forbidden the people of Israel to engage in these pagan practices. Today’s English Version has “The LORD your God does not allow you to do this,” and Contemporary English Version has “… won’t allow you to do those things.”

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 .