27 Moses and the leaders of Israel said to the people, ‘Obey all these commands that I am giving you today. 2 You will soon go across the Jordan River and go into the land that the Lord your God is giving to you. When you are there, you must put up some large stones on Mount Ebal. Cover them with thick white paint. 3 Then write on them all these laws and teaching. You must do that when you go across the river into the land that the Lord your God is giving to you. It is a land where there is plenty of food and drink, enough for everyone. He promised your ancestors that he would give it to you. 4 After you go across the Jordan River, you must put these stones on Mount Ebal. Cover them with white paint. Do as I am telling you today.
5 Then you must build an altar there to worship the Lord your God. Do not use iron tools to cut the stones for the altar. 6 Use whole stones that you find to build it. Then offer burnt offerings to the Lord your God on the altar. 7 You must also offer friendship offerings there. Eat them with joy as you meet with the Lord your God. 8 Write all the words of this law on the stones that you will put there. Be sure to write them very clearly.’
9 Then Moses and the Levite priests said to all the Israelites, ‘Be quiet and listen carefully! Today, you have become the people who belong to the Lord your God. 10 Obey him. Obey his commands and his rules that I am giving you today.’
11 On the same day, Moses commanded the people, 12 ‘After you have gone across the Jordan River, these tribes must stand on Mount Gerizim: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. They will bless the people. 13 These tribes must stand on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali. They will speak aloud God's curses.’
14 The Levites will shout this with a loud voice to all the Israelites:
15 ‘God will curse anyone who makes any image of a god and who worships it secretly. The Lord hates all idols that people make with metal or with wood.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
16 ‘God will curse anyone who does not respect his parents.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
17 ‘God will curse anyone who moves the stones at the edge of his neighbour's land.’ [ a ] Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
18 ‘God will curse anyone who leads a blind person along the wrong path.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
19 ‘God will curse anyone who stops foreigners, widows or children who have no family from receiving justice.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
20 ‘God will curse any man who has sex with his father's wife. That would bring shame on his father.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
21 ‘God will curse any man who has sex with any animal.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
22 ‘God will curse any man who has sex with his sister, whether she is his father's daughter or his mother's daughter.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
23 ‘God will curse any man who has sex with his wife's mother.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
24 ‘God will curse anyone who murders anyone secretly.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
25 ‘God will curse anyone who receives a bribe to kill someone who has done nothing wrong.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
26 ‘God will curse anyone who refuses to obey all the words of this law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Yes, we agree!’
27 Moses and the elders of Israel spoke to the people. Moses said, “Obey all the commands that I give you today. 2 You will soon go across the Jordan River into the land that the Lord your God is giving you. On that day you must put up large stones. Cover them with plaster. 3 Then write on the stones all these commands and teachings. You must do this when you go across the Jordan River. Then you may go into the land that the Lord your God is giving you—a land filled with many good things. [ a ] The Lord , the God of your ancestors, promised to give you this land.
4 “After you go across the Jordan River, you must do what I command you today. You must set up the stones on Mount Ebal. You must cover these stones with plaster. 5 Also, use some stones there to build an altar to the Lord your God. Don’t use iron tools to cut the stones. 6 You must not use cut stones to build the altar for the Lord your God. Offer burnt offerings on this altar to the Lord your God. 7 And you must sacrifice and eat fellowship offerings there. Eat and enjoy yourselves there together with the Lord your God. 8 You must write all these teachings on the stones that you set up. Write clearly so that they are easy to read.”
9 Moses and the Levite priests spoke to all the Israelites. Moses said, “Be quiet and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10 So you must do everything that the Lord your God tells you. You must obey his commands and his laws that I am giving you today.”
11 That day Moses also told the people, 12 “After you have gone across the Jordan River, these tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to read the blessings to the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 And these tribes will stand on Mount Ebal to read the curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 “And the Levites will say to all the Israelites in a loud voice:
15 “‘Cursed is the one who makes a false god and puts it in its secret place. These false gods are only statues that some worker makes from wood, stone or metal. The Lord hates these things!’
“Then all the people will answer, ‘Amen!’
16 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who does not show respect to their father or their mother!’
“Then all the people will answer, ‘Amen!’
17 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who moves a neighbor’s landmark [ b ] !’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
18 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who tricks a blind man into going the wrong way!’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
19 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who does not give fair judgment for the foreigners, orphans, and widows!’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
20 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who shames his father by having sexual relations with his father’s wife.’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
21 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with any kind of animal!’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
22 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his sister or half sister!’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
23 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law!’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
24 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who kills anyone, even if he is not caught!’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
25 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who takes money to kill an innocent person!’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
26 “The Levites will say, ‘Cursed is the one who does not support this law and agree to obey it.’
“Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
27 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
6 Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord thy God:
7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the Lord thy God.
8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.
10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord , the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
27 Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandments which I am commanding you today. 2 ( A ) So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime 3 and write on them all the words of this Law, when you cross over, so that you may enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, ( B ) a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord , the God of your fathers, [ a ] promised you. 4 So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up these stones ( C ) on Mount Ebal, [ b ] as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime. 5 Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you ( D ) shall not wield an iron tool on them. 6 You shall build the altar of the Lord your God of [ c ] uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the Lord your God; 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, and ( E ) rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 You shall write on the [ d ] stones all the words of this Law very clearly.”
9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God. 10 So you shall [ e ] obey the Lord your God, and do His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today.”
11 Moses also commanded the people on that day, saying, 12 “When you cross the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on ( F ) Mount Gerizim to bless the people: ( G ) Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 For the curse, these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 The Levites shall then respond and say to all the people of Israel with a loud voice,
15 ‘Cursed is the person who makes ( H ) a carved image or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord , the work of the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And ( I ) all the people shall reply and say, ‘Amen.’
16 ‘ ( J ) Cursed is one who treats his father or mother contemptuously.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
17 ‘ ( K ) Cursed is one who displaces his neighbor’s boundary marker.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
18 ‘ ( L ) Cursed is one who misleads a person who is blind on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
19 ‘ ( M ) Cursed is one who distorts the justice due a stranger, an [ f ] orphan, or a widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
20 ‘ ( N ) Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, because he has [ g ] uncovered his father’s garment.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
21 ‘ ( O ) Cursed is one who has sexual intercourse with any animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
22 ‘ ( P ) Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
23 ‘ ( Q ) Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
24 ‘ ( R ) Cursed is he who attacks his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
25 ‘ ( S ) Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to attack an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
26 ‘ ( T ) Cursed is anyone who does not fulfill the words of this Law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
27 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands ( A ) that I give you today. 2 When you have crossed the Jordan ( B ) into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones ( C ) and coat them with plaster. ( D ) 3 Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, ( E ) just as the Lord , the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, ( F ) as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. 5 Build there an altar ( G ) to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool ( H ) on them. 6 Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. 7 Sacrifice fellowship offerings ( I ) there, eating them and rejoicing ( J ) in the presence of the Lord your God. ( K ) 8 And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones ( L ) you have set up.” ( M )
9 Then Moses and the Levitical ( N ) priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. ( O ) 10 Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”
11 On the same day Moses commanded the people:
12 When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim ( P ) to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, ( Q ) Joseph and Benjamin. ( R ) 13 And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal ( S ) to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.
14 The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
15 “Cursed is anyone who makes an idol ( T ) —a thing detestable ( U ) to the Lord , the work of skilled hands—and sets it up in secret.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” ( V )
16 “Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother.” ( W )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
17 “Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.” ( X )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
18 “Cursed is anyone who leads the blind astray on the road.” ( Y )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
19 “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, ( Z ) the fatherless or the widow.” ( AA )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
20 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed.” ( AB )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
21 “Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with any animal.” ( AC )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
22 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.” ( AD )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
23 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” ( AE )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
24 “Cursed is anyone who kills ( AF ) their neighbor secretly.” ( AG )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
25 “Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.” ( AH )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
26 “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” ( AI )
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” ( AJ )
