Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.King James Version
The same verse in modern English
Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.Deuteronomy 31:6, World English Bible (WEB)
KJV and WEB compared
The KJV says “Be strong and of a good courage,” the WEB “Be strong and courageous,” with the same meaning. The KJV’s “he it is that doth go with thee” and the WEB’s “himself is who goes with you” both stress that God goes in person. In the KJV, “thy God” and “with thee” are singular, as though the whole people were addressed as one; today’s you cannot show that. Both close with the double promise not to let go or walk away.
Sitting with this verse
These words are spoken to the whole people, not only to their next leader. Israel stands east of the Jordan, and Moses reminds them how the Lord dealt with the kings Sihon and Og. The fear is of real enemies; the answer is presence. The pair “fail” and “forsake” means God will neither let go nor walk away. Hebrews later echoes the promise for a new generation. Name one thing you dread facing, and picture God already there.
Older words in this verse
- thee, thou
- you (one person)
- thy, thine
- your, yours
- doth
- does
From Deuteronomy 31
Moses, now a hundred and twenty, hands leadership to Joshua and tells him not to fear, for God goes ahead. What new responsibility could you accept with that assurance?
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