Deuteronomy 27

The altar on Mount Ebal

1Moses and the leaders of Israel said to the people, ‘Obey all these rules that I give to you today. 2You will cross the River Jordan and go into the country that the LORD your God is giving to you. On that day, you must put some large stones on the ground and you must cover them with white paint. 3Then write on them all the words of this Law. Do this when you have crossed over the river into the country. This is the country that the LORD your God has promised to you. He is the LORD, the God of your fathers. The country is full of good food and drink. 4And when you have crossed the river, you must put these stones on Mount Ebal. Do as I command you today. Cover them with white paint. 5You must build there an altar for the LORD your God. Do not use iron tools to cut the stones. 6Build this table for the LORD your God with stones from the field. There you must give to him your burnt-offerings on that table. 7You can also offer friendship-offerings there. Eat them and be happy in front of the LORD your God. 8And you must write all these rules on the stones that you have put there. You must write the rules very clearly.’

Pronounce the bad things that will happen, from Mount Ebal

9Then Moses and the priests (who are Levites) said to all the Israelites, ‘Be quiet, Israelites. Listen! The LORD your God has chosen you and made you his own people. 10Obey the LORD your God. Do whatever he commands you. I am giving you his words today.’

11On the same day, Moses said to the people:

12After you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes must stand on Mount Gerizim. They will promise good things to the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. 13And these tribes must stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce bad things that will happen: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.

14The Levites will say with a loud voice, to all Israel’s people:

15‘God will cause bad things for the man who makes any false god. The LORD hates such a thing, even if the man prays to it as a secret.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

16‘God will cause bad things for the man who does bad things to his parents.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

17‘God will cause bad things for the man who moves the stone at the edge of his neighbour‘s land.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

18‘A man may lead a person who cannot see, along a wrong path. This path does not go to the place that he wants. God will cause bad things for the cruel man who does this.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

19‘A man may refuse to do right things for the stranger, the woman whose husband has died, or her children. God will cause bad things for this man.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

20‘God will cause bad things for the man who has sex with his father’s wife. It is very wrong for him to make his father’s bed dirty.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

21‘God will cause bad things for the man who has sex with any animal.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

22‘God will cause bad things for the man who has sex with his sister. She may be the daughter of his father or of his mother.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

23‘God will cause bad things for the man who has sex with his wife’s mother.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

24‘Perhaps a man may kill his neighbour. He does this when no one is watching. God will cause bad things for this man.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

25‘Perhaps a man may accept money to kill another person. This other person has done nothing wrong. God will cause bad things for the man who accepts the money.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’

26‘God will cause bad things for the man who does not obey all God’s words and rules.’ Then everyone must say, ‘Yes! I agree.’