Deuteronomy

Moses gives speeches about laws and the importance of following God before the Israelites enter the Promised Land.

Chapter 27

1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

*Moses and the leaders told the people, "Follow all the rules I'm giving you today."

2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:

*On the day you cross the Jordan River into the land your God gives you, you must put up big stones and cover them with plaster.

3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

*And you shall write down all the laws' words when you cross over, so you can enter the land that the Lord your God gives you - a land filled with milk and honey, just as the Lord, God of your ancestors, has promised you.

4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

*So when you cross the Jordan River, you will put these stones I tell you about now, on a certain mountain called Ebal, and cover them with a special coating.

5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.

*At that place, you must build an altar for God, using stones, and don't use any metal tools on them.

6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:

*You must construct an altar using large stones for the one true God. Then, you should present burnt sacrifices on it to God.

7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

*Offer thanks, eat and be happy before God.

8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

*And you shall write on the stones all the rules of this law, making them very clear.

9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.

*Moses and the priest leaders talked to all Israel, saying, "Listen carefully, Israel! Today, you have become God's special people."

10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

*You must follow the LORD's voice and do his commands and rules that I tell you today.

11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

*And Moses told the people that very day, saying,

12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:

*On Mount Gerizim, these groups will bless the people after you cross the Jordan River: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

*On Mount Ebal, these tribes will stand to say curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

*And the Levites will talk loudly to all the people of Israel, saying...

15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

*"Blessed is the person who does not make statues or idols, which are hated by God, made by skilled workers, and hidden away. Everyone should agree by saying, 'Yes, that's right.'"

16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is the one who honors their father and mother with respect. And everyone will agree, "Amen."

17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is the one who doesn't move the boundary marker of their neighbor. Everyone will say, "So be it."

18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is the one who guides the blind away from the right path. And everyone will say, "So be it."

19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*"Blessed is the one who follows fair rules for outsiders, children without parents, and widows. Everyone will agree, 'Yes, indeed.'"

20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is the one who doesn't sleep with their father's wife; for they respect their father's privacy. Everyone will agree, "So true!"

21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is the one who doesn't have sex with animals. Everyone will agree, saying "Amen."

22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is anyone who doesn't sleep with their sister, whether they are the daughter of their dad or mom. Everyone should agree, "Amen."

23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is anyone who doesn't sleep with their mother-in-law. Everyone will agree, saying "Amen."

24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is the one who does not sneakily hurt their neighbor. And everyone will agree, "Amen."

25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*Blessed is the one who doesn't accept a reward for killing an innocent person. And everyone will say, "Amen."

26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

*"Blessed is anyone who follows all the rules in this book. Everyone should agree by saying 'Amen.'"

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