Good News Translation and Revised English Bible join this verse to the following two verses; Revised Standard Version and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh join it to the verses that come before it. It is a linking verse; but everything considered, it seems better to join it to what follows, not to what comes before.

The verse is a reminder of the constant need to provide for Levites, who had no territory of their own and were thus dependent on the generosity of their fellow Israelites (see 12.19; 18.1-2; Num 18.20; 26.62).

You shall not forsake: that is, “Do not neglect [or, disregard],” “Do not fail to help.”

The Levite who is within your towns: in most languages it is much better to use the plural form, “the Levites who live in your communities [or, towns].”

No portion or inheritance: this is a typical doublet, showing emphasis—“they have no land,” “they were not allotted any territory” (see the comment at 12.2).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .