Since this seems to be a separate matter, it is recommended that translators start with something like “Moses said to the people of Israel.”

You are the sons of the LORD your God: that is, “… the children [or, sons and daughters] of Yahweh,” the covenant community. For the LORD your God see 1.6.

The last phrase of the verse, for the dead, modifies the two verbs cut and make. So it is better to place it first, as Good News Translation does: “So when you mourn for the dead…,” or “when you show sorrow for the dead [or, people who have died].”

Cut yourselves: this refers to gashes and cuts that were made by followers of some religions and cults as part of mourning for the dead.

Make any baldness on your forehead: New Revised Standard Version is somewhat better, “shave your forelocks.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, however, is best: “shave the front of your heads” (as also Good News Translation).

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 .