Deuteronomy 9:1-6 - Warning Against Self-Righteousness
1 Hear, O Israel, you are about to cross the Jordan River. You will force out nations that are larger and mightier than you, with big cities that have sky-high walls. 2 Their people are tall and strong. They are descendants of Anakim. You know all about them. You also heard it said: Who can oppose the descendants of Anak? 3 Understand today that Jehovah your God is the one who is going ahead of you like a consuming (raging) (devouring) fire. He will wipe them out. Then he will use you to crush their power. You will take possession of their land and will quickly destroy them as Jehovah promised you. 4 When Jehovah your God expels these people right before your very eyes, do not say to yourselves: 'Jehovah brought us here to possess this land because we live right (are righteous).' This is not the case. It is because these nations are so wicked that Jehovah is forcing them out of your way. 5 It is not because you have been living right or because you are so honest that you enter to take possession of their land. It is because these people are so wicked that Jehovah your God is forcing them out of your way. It is also because Jehovah wants to confirm the promise he swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6 Understand this! It is not because you have been living right that Jehovah your God is giving you this good land to possess. You are a rebellious and impossible (stiff-necked) (stubborn) people!