Deuteronomy 26

Bring Your Firstfruits to God

1 When you finally settle down in the land the Lord your God gave you,

2 Take the first of all your crops and put it in a basket. Then roll out to the spot God chose to be His place.

3 Tell the priest, “I am here today to say that I made it, I am in the land God promised to our ancestors.”

4 The priest will take your basket and set it down in front of the altar of the Lord.

5 Then you say this out loud: “My ancestor was a broke, wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt with nothing, but came out a great nation, strong and deep.”

6 “But the Egyptians hated on us and made us suffer, put us through hard labor and pain.”

7 “So we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and He heard us, saw our pain and came through.”

8 “He brought us outta Egypt with power, signs, and wonders, mighty hand, outstretched arm, and heavy judgment.”

9 “He brought us to this land, flowing with milk and honey.”

10 “And now I am giving the first of what You gave me, Lord.” Put the basket down and bow before God.

11 Then you and your whole household, plus the Levites and the outsiders, Throw a celebration for all the good stuff God blessed you with.

Give Your Tithe to Those in Need

12 Every third year, when you give a full tithe, Make sure the Levite, the outsider, the orphan, and the widow get theirs, so they can eat good in your town.

13 Say out loud to the Lord, “I brought out all the sacred stuff. I gave it to the Levite, the outsider, the orphan, and the widow, just like You said. I did not hold back or forget.”

14 “I am not eat any of it while I was mourning, I am not touch it when I was unclean, I am not offer it to no dead spirits. I obeyed You, God, I followed all Your commands.”

15 “Look down from heaven, Lord, bless Your people and the land You gave us, A land flowing with milk and honey, just like You promised.”

You Belong to God, Walk Like It

16 Today the Lord your God is giving you these commands, Follow them with all your heart and soul.

17 You declared today that the Lord is your God. You are going to walk in His ways, keep His rules, and do what He says.

18 And God declared that you are His special people, His chosen ones, just like He promised. So live by His rules.

19 He is going to lift you up above all the nations, give you praise, fame, and honor, If you keep His commands and live holy.