Deuteronomy 27:1-26

  • The Law to be written on stones (1-10)

  • At Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (11-14)

  • The curses recited (15-26)

27  Then Moses together with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying: “Observe every commandment that I am giving you today.  And in the day when you will cross the Jordan into the land that Jehovah your God is giving you, set up large stones and cover them with plaster.*+  Then write on them all the words of this Law when you have crossed over, so that you may enter into the land that Jehovah your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as Jehovah, the God of your forefathers, has promised you.+  When you have crossed the Jordan, you should set up these stones on Mount Eʹbal+ and cover them with plaster,* just as I am commanding you today.  You are also to build an altar there to Jehovah your God, an altar of stones. You should not use iron tools on them.+  You should build the altar of Jehovah your God with whole stones and offer burnt offerings to Jehovah your God on it.  You are to offer communion sacrifices+ and eat them there,+ and you will rejoice before Jehovah your God.+  And clearly write on the stones all the words of this Law.”+  Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying: “Keep silent and listen, O Israel. This day you have become the people of Jehovah your God.+ 10  You must listen to the voice of Jehovah your God and carry out his commandments+ and his regulations, which I am commanding you today.” 11  On that day Moses commanded the people, saying: 12  “The following tribes will stand on Mount Gerʹi·zim+ to bless the people when you have crossed the Jordan: Simʹe·on, Leʹvi, Judah, Isʹsa·char, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13  And the following will stand on Mount Eʹbal+ to pronounce the curse: Reuʹben, Gad, Ashʹer, Zebʹu·lun, Dan, and Naphʹta·li. 14  And the Levites will answer every man of Israel with a loud voice:+ 15  “‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved image+ or a metal statue,*+ a thing detestable to Jehovah,+ the workmanship of the hands of a craftsman,* and who has hidden it.’ (And all the people will respond, saying, ‘Amen!’*) 16  “‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 17  “‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s boundary marker.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 18  “‘Cursed is the one who causes a blind person to lose his way on the road.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 19  “‘Cursed is the one who perverts the judgment+ of a foreign resident, a fatherless child,* or a widow.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 20  “‘Cursed is the one who lies down with his father’s wife, for he has dishonored his father.’*+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 21  “‘Cursed is the one who lies down with any animal.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 22  “‘Cursed is the one who lies down with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 23  “‘Cursed is the one who lies down with his mother-in-law.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 24  “‘Cursed is the one who ambushes and kills his neighbor.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 25  “‘Cursed is the one who accepts a bribe to kill* an innocent person.’*+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’) 26  “‘Cursed is the one who will not uphold the words of this Law by carrying them out.’+ (And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’)

Footnotes

Or “whitewash them with lime.”
Or “whitewash them with lime.”
Or “So be it!”
Or “a wood-and-metal worker.”
Or “molten statue.”
Or “an orphan.”
Lit., “uncovered the skirt of his father.”
Or “strike down.”
Or “a soul of innocent blood.”