Deuteronomy 12

Destroy Every Idol & Pagan Shrine

1 “These are the laws and rules you all must follow in the land the Lord is giving you, obey them as long as you live.”

2 “Destroy every pagan shrine where the nations before you worshiped their false gods, on the mountains, hills, and under big trees.”

3 “Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn their Asherah poles, and wipe out their idols! Do not let their names even be remembered!”

Worship Only at the Place God Chooses

4 “Do not worship God the way those nations did!”

5 “Instead, go to the place the Lord chooses for His name to be honored, that is where you all must worship and bring sacrifices.”

6 “Bring your burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, gifts, firstborn animals, and voluntary offerings there.”

7 “That is where you all will eat and celebrate before the Lord! Be happy about the blessings He has given you!”

Worshiping Anywhere Is Not Allowed Anymore

8 “You all cannot keep doing whatever seems right to you like you are doing now.”

9 “Because you have not entered the land yet, the place where God is giving you rest.”

10 “But when you cross the Jordan and live in the land God is giving you, you will finally have peace from your enemies.”

11 “Then the Lord will choose one place for His name to be honored, that is where you all must bring offerings and worship.”

12 “And you all will celebrate there, your families, servants, Levites, and everyone with you!”

You Can Eat Meat at Home, but Offerings Must Go to the Lord

13 “Be careful not to offer sacrifices just anywhere.”

14 “Only at the place the Lord chooses, THAT is where you must bring your burnt offerings and obey what He commands.”

15 “But you can eat meat at home whenever you want, just like eating deer or gazelle.”

16 “But do not eat the blood, pour it out on the ground like water.”

17 “Do not eat your tithes of grain, wine, oil, firstborn animals, or special offerings at home, take them to the Lord’s chosen place.”

18 “Eat and celebrate them before the Lord! Bring your family, servants, and the Levites with you.”

19 “Do not forget the Levites! They do not have land, so help them out.”

More Rules About Eating Meat

20 “When God expands your land, you might want to eat meat, go ahead!”

21 “If you are too far from the Lord’s chosen place, just slaughter an animal at home and eat it, like He told you.”

22 “Eat it like you would eat deer or gazelle, whether you are clean or unclean, it does not matter.”

23 “But do not eat the blood, blood represents life.”

24 “Pour it on the ground like water!”

25 “Do this so things go well for you and your kids, because you are doing what is right in God’s eyes.”

Bring Your Sacred Offerings to God’s Chosen Place

26 “But any holy offerings or special vows must be brought to the Lord’s chosen place.”

27 “Offer the burnt sacrifices with the blood poured out on the altar, and eat the meat as God commanded.”

28 “Follow all these commands carefully, so you and your children will be blessed forever.”

Do Not Follow the Evil Ways of Other Nations

29 “When the Lord wipes out the nations before you and gives you their land, do not start following their evil ways!”

30 “Do not ask, ‘How did they worship their gods, Maybe we should do that too.’”

31 “Do not worship the Lord that way! These nations did evil, disgusting things for their gods, even sacrificing their own children in fire!”

32 “Obey exactly what God commands, do not add anything or take anything away!”