and GL I GET IT.
OK, I was writing this while you were posting. Good evening, Jam!
Now you say, we do not know what to take away or add, why.
No, I said we know that things have inevitably been added and taken away as these works were passed on through the centuries, transcribed and translated many times, into languages far different than the original, and read by persons with a cultural outlook far removed from the nations who first used them--and we don't know where these changes are, nor which of the various texts is "right".
We have enough trouble understanding the words of Shakespeare, written in our mother tongue for our relatively recent ancestors. It is far harder to comprehend the meaning of words written into a much older, far different language for a people with an entirely different culture. I said trying to literally understand every word is a fool's errand because we do not talk like, think like, or act like people of those ancient places and distant nations, nor do we even know with certainty which version of the words we should accept.
Here is a modern example (used by my High School religion teacher): We might say "I make the bed every morning." We understand that to mean straightening the sheets, tucking in the blankets, and fluffing up the pillows. But if those words are translated literally to a language used in a non-Western culture, they might think we are working with wood, tools and nails, building new furniture every day! That is the problem with word-by-word literal translation: you can have all the right words and completely miss then meaning. Figurative language is not unique to us; a good study Bible explains many figures of speech in the scriptures (leading us to wonder how many more there are that we don't even recognize).
because the Bible is one book
Like Tec, I disagree. "The Bible" is an anthology, containing 66, 73, or 76 books (depending on which version you have) produced at different times over thousands of years (including times when it was passed down orally, not in writing).
Using your reasoning, Deuteronomy 32:45-47 says that only the Pentateuch is valid. Everything that came later was "added on", so if it was really one book and the words are a warning to "not add on", then the story must end right there, on the mountain east of the river Jordan overlooking the land of Canaan.
But reading Deuteronomy as a book complete within itself makes clear that these words are about the (Mosaic) law, which makes sense in the context of the passage:
Final Appeal
When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, Take to heart all the words that I am giving in witness against you today, words you should command your children, that they may observe carefully every word of this law. For this is no trivial matter for you, but rather your very life; by this word you will enjoy a long life on the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.
