23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.
23 "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.
23 But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.
23 "But if you don't do what you say, you will be sinning against God; you can be sure that your sin will track you down.
23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.
23 But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 32:23
Commentary on Numbers 32:16-27
(Read Numbers 32:16-27)
Here is the good effect of plain dealing. Moses, by showing their sin, and the danger of it, brought them to their duty, without murmuring or disputing. All men ought to consider the interests of others as well as their own; the law of love requires us to labour, venture, or suffer for each other as there may be occasion. They propose that their men of war should go ready armed before the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, and that they should not return till the conquest of Canaan was ended. Moses grants their request, but he warns them of the danger of breaking their word. If you fail, you sin against the Lord, and not against your brethren only; God will certainly reckon with you for it. Be sure your sin will find you out. Sin will surely find out the sinner sooner or later. It concerns us now to find our sins out, that we may repent of them, and forsake them, lest they find us out to our ruin.