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16 Although an Israelite, he must not try to build a strong army by collecting large herds of horses for his cavalry troops and a chariot corps. The king must certainly not send people back to Egypt to get large herds of horses, because the Lord has commanded you, “Don’t ever go back that way again!” 17 This king must not have many wives. If he takes foreign wives in marriage alliances, they could turn his heart away from the Lord and lead him to worship foreign gods. And the king must not accumulate great quantities of silver and gold for himself.

18 As soon as this king takes the royal throne, he must write out a copy of this law for himself on a scroll with the Levitical priests looking on.

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16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses(A) for himself(B) or make the people return to Egypt(C) to get more of them,(D) for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”(E) 17 He must not take many wives,(F) or his heart will be led astray.(G) He must not accumulate(H) large amounts of silver and gold.(I)

18 When he takes the throne(J) of his kingdom, he is to write(K) for himself on a scroll a copy(L) of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests.

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