That you may fear the LORD your God: this is the purpose of Moses’ teaching the Law to the Israelites, to fear God, that is, to honor, respect, and obey him (see 4.10; 5.29).

You and your son and your son’s son: although singular in form, these are all plural in meaning: “all of you, and your children and your grandchildren,” that is, “for all future generations.” Translators may follow the Hebrew pattern if this is natural style in their language and if it means “descendants.”

By keeping all his statutes and commandments: this is what “to fear God” means: obedience to his laws. Good News Translation has “obey all his laws.”

The singular second person pronoun is used in Hebrew in all the days of your life and your days may be prolonged. The people of Israel are addressed as though they were one person (as in 5.6-21); but translators may continue to use the plural if this is more natural style.

That your days may be prolonged: this is not long life as such but permanent residence in the Promised Land (4.40; 5.16); see Good News Translation.

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 .