Call together all the men, women, and children, and the foreigners who live in your towns, so that everyone may hear it and learn to honor the LORD your God and to obey his teachings faithfully.

"Today you are standing in the presence of the LORD your God, all of you---your leaders and officials, your men,

Jacob called for his sons and said, "Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the future:

"Come together and listen, sons of Jacob. Listen to your father Israel.

and chose capable men from among all the Israelites. He appointed them as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

The LORD said to Moses, "Assemble seventy respected men who are recognized as leaders of the people, bring them to me at the Tent of my presence, and tell them to stand there beside you.

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the spirit I have given you and give it to them. Then they can help you bear the responsibility for these people, and you will not have to bear it alone.

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that, if you disobey me, you will soon disappear from the land. You will not live very long in the land across the Jordan that you are about to occupy. You will be completely destroyed.

I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God's blessing and God's curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life.

"Earth and sky, hear my words, listen closely to what I say.

The LORD said, "Earth and sky, listen to what I am saying! The children I brought up have rebelled against me.

Jesus answered, "I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting."