Here begins the presentation or prosecution speech (verses 7-14), in which Yahweh’s good actions on behalf of the people are described.

Remember … consider: two verbs that are close in meaning; remember means to “think back,” to “recall”; to consider is to “ponder,” or “reflect.”

The days of old … the years of many generations: again two expressions that are very close in meaning. See similar language in 4.32. Once more the translator is reminded that if two similar expressions like this seem artificial and unnatural, one will do. Good News Translation has “think of the past, of the time long ago”; but Contemporary English Version combines the two lines, with “Think about past generations.”

Ask your father … your elders: two terms for older people; elders here is used in the sense of “older people.” And father is not necessarily only the male parent; see Contemporary English Version “your parents or any of your elders.”

Show you … tell you: again two verbs that mean exactly the same thing. We may combine the two lines as follows: “They will tell you.” However, in some languages it will be necessary to give the content of “tell”; for example, “They will tell you about those days long ago.” The final part of the verse may then be translated as:

• Ask your parents or any of the older people.
They will tell you about those days long ago.

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 .