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Write the Law on Stones

27 Moses and the leaders of Israel told the people, “Obey every command I’m giving you today.

“The day you cross the Jordan River and enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and cover them with plaster. The Lord God of your ancestors is giving you a land flowing with milk and honey, as he promised you. After you’re in that land, write all the words of these teachings on the stones. After you cross the Jordan River, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, and cover them with plaster, following the command I’m giving you today. Build an altar of stones there dedicated to the Lord your God. Don’t use an iron chisel on the stones. You must use uncut stones to build the altar of the Lord your God. Sacrifice burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. Sacrifice fellowship offerings, eat them there, and enjoy yourselves in the presence of the Lord your God. Write clearly and carefully all the words of these teachings on the stones you set up.”

Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be quiet and listen, Israel. Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10 Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and laws which I’m giving you today.”

Curses Which Are to Be Recited

11 That same day Moses gave the people this command: 12 After you cross the Jordan River, these are the tribes that will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 These are the tribes that will stand on Mount Ebal to announce the curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14 The Levites will declare to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:

15 “Whoever has a carved or metal statue, anything disgusting to the Lord that was made by a craftsman, and sets it up in secret will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

16 “Whoever curses his father or mother will himself be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

17 “Whoever moves his neighbor’s boundary marker will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

18 “Whoever leads blind people in the wrong direction will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

19 “Whoever deprives foreigners, orphans, or widows of justice will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

20 “Whoever has sexual intercourse with his father’s wife will be cursed. He has disgraced his father.” Then all the people will say amen.

21 “Whoever has sexual intercourse with any animal will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

22 “Whoever has sexual intercourse with his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

23 “Whoever has sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

24 “Whoever kills another person secretly will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

25 “Whoever accepts money to kill an innocent person will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

26 “Whoever doesn’t obey every word of these teachings will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.

The Altar on Mount Ebal

27 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands(A) that I give you today. 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) 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. 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. Build there an altar(G) to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool(H) on them. Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. Sacrifice fellowship offerings(I) there, eating them and rejoicing(J) in the presence of the Lord your God.(K) And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones(L) you have set up.”(M)

Curses From Mount Ebal

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)