Urban Word Bible

Leviticus 20

Read Leviticus 20 in clear, relatable modern language.

Punishment for Sacrificing Children to Molech

1 The Lord spoke to Moses.

2 Tell the Israelites, if anyone sacrifices their child to Molech, they must be put to death. The people must stone them.

3 I will turn against them and cut them off from the people because they gave their child to Molech, making My holy name unclean.

4 If the people ignore what they did and do not punish them,

5 I will turn against them and their whole family. I will cut them off from the people, along with anyone who follows them in worshiping Molech.

6 If someone turns to mediums or psychics, I will turn against them and cut them off from the people.

7 Be holy because I am the Lord your God.

8 Obey My commands and follow them. I am the Lord, the one who makes you holy.

9 Anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death. Their blood is on them.

10 If a man sleeps with another man’s wife, both of them must be put to death.

11 If a man sleeps with his father’s wife, he has dishonored his father. Both must be put to death. Their blood is on them.

12 If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. That is wickedness.

13 If a man sleeps with another man like he would with a woman, both must be put to death. That is detestable.

14 If a man marries a woman and her mother, that is wicked. They must be burned with fire so this evil does not continue among you.

15 If a man has sex with an animal, he must be put to death, and the animal must be killed.

16 If a woman has sex with an animal, both must be put to death. Their blood is on them.

17 If a man sleeps with his sister, whether on his father’s side or mother’s side, it is shameful. They must be cut off from the people.

18 If a man sleeps with a woman during her period, they have both exposed her bleeding and must be cut off from the people.

19 Do not sleep with your mother’s sister or father’s sister. That would dishonor your family.

20 If a man sleeps with his uncle’s wife, he dishonors his uncle. They will be punished and die childless.

21 If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is shameful. They will be childless.

22 Obey My laws, or the land I am bringing you into will vomit you out.

23 Do not follow the evil customs of the nations before you. That is why I am driving them out.

24 I have given you this land to be your own. I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations.

25 Make a difference between clean and unclean animals. Do not defile yourselves with unclean creatures.

26 You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from other nations to be Mine.

27 Anyone who works as a medium or psychic must be put to death. The people must stone them. Their blood is on them.