Deuteronomy 27

Set Up the Stones & Build an Altar

1 Then Moses and the elders of Israel told the people, “You all better follow all these commands we giving you today.”

2 “When you all cross over the Jordan into the land God is giving you, Put up big stones and cover them with plaster.”

3 Write all these laws on them once you cross over, So everybody can read the word when you all get to the land God promised your ancestors.

4 Set up those stones on Mount Ebal, just like I am telling you now, And plaster them real good.

5 Build an altar to God there, no cut stone, just raw rocks.

6 Use uncut stones for the altar. Offer burnt sacrifices to the Lord.

7 Bring peace offerings too. Eat and celebrate before God.

8 And do not forget, write all the laws clear as day on those stones.

The Tribes & the Two Mountains

9 Then Moses and the Levite priests told all Israel, “Quiet down and listen, today you all became God’s people.”

10 So obey God, do what He says, and live by His commands.

11 That day, Moses gave orders:

12 “When you all cross the Jordan, these tribes going to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

13 And these going to stand on Mount Ebal to speak the curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

The Curses from Mount Ebal

14 Then the Levites will shout out loud to all of Israel:

15 “Cursed is anyone who makes idols or images, things God hates, and hides them in secret.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

16 “Cursed is anyone who disrespects their father or mother.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

17 “Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s property line.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

18 “Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person off the path.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

19 “Cursed is anyone who twists justice for the outsider, the orphan, or the widow.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

20 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father’s wife, that is disrespecting his own dad’s bed.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

21 “Cursed is anyone who lays with animals.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

22 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister or stepsister.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

23 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

24 “Cursed is anyone who kills his neighbor in secret.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

25 “Cursed is anyone who takes money to kill an innocent person.” And all the people say: “Amen!”

26 “Cursed is anyone who do not follow all the words of this law and live by it.” And all the people say: “Amen!”