⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”^[a](A) that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:

¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,^(A) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.^(B)

¹⁰ if you obey the Lord your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law^(A) and turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.^(B)

The Offer of Life or Death

¹¹ Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.^{(C) 12} It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven^(D) to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”^{(E) 13} Nor is it beyond the sea,^(F) so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”^{(G) 14} No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.^(H)

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(A) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(B) through psalms,^(C) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^(D)

²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.