Definition: Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Deuteronomy 9:4. It’s a really important and complex passage about God’s judgment and His perspective on people. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse essentially says that God is angry with people because they are acting badly and causing problems. He's not just punishing them; he’s actively driving them out because of their wrong behavior. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Speak not thou in thine heart…” – This means God is speaking to you directly, through your thoughts and feelings. It's a warning to stop thinking about this negativity and wrongdoing. “…after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee…” – This tells us that God has already taken away these people from the land or situation he’s dealing with. He’s essentially removed them as a problem. Think of it like a storm moving on. “saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land…” – This is where it gets tricky. God says he's bringing them out because of His justice or righteousness. He’s doing this to make things right and protect the land. It's like a punishment designed to be fair and correct. “…but for the wickedness of these nations…” – This is the key part – God is focusing his anger on those nations causing the problems. The “wickedness” refers to their immoral behavior, dishonesty, violence, or other harmful actions. Putting it all together: God is feeling hurt and angry because people are acting badly, causing trouble, and violating His laws. He’s using this as a way to protect the land and ensure justice. He's not just punishing them; he's actively removing them from the situation to correct their wrongdoings. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning against injustice and disobedience. It highlights that God’s judgment isn't always about immediate punishment, but rather about correcting wrongdoing and establishing order through his power. In simpler terms: God is angry with people because they are bad and he’s removing them from the situation to make things right. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Compare this verse to another Bible passage? Discuss what this verse might mean for us today (in a general sense)?