The Law Written on Stones

1Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, “Keep every command I am giving you today. 2When you cross the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up large stones and cover them with plaster.a 3Write all the words of this law on the stones after you cross to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey,a as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. 4When you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to cover them with plaster. 5Build an altar of stones there to the Lord your God — do not use any iron tool on them.a 6Use uncut stones to build the altar of the Lord your God and offer burnt offerings to the Lord your God on it. 7There you are to sacrifice fellowship offerings, eat, and rejoice in the presence of the Lord your God. 8Write clearly all the words of this law on the plastered stones.”

The Covenant Curses

9Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and statutes I am giving you today.”

11On that day Moses commanded the people, 12“When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13And these tribes will stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.a 14The Levites will proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:

1. 15‘The person who makes a carved idol or cast image, which is detestable to the Lord, the work of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret is cursed.’
2. And all the people will reply, ‘Amen! ’
3. 16‘The one who dishonors his father or mother is cursed.’
4. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
5. 17‘The one who moves his neighbor’s boundary marker is cursed.’
6. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
7. 18‘The one who leads a blind person astray on the road is cursed.’
8. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
9. 19‘The one who denies justice to a resident alien, a fatherless child, or a widow is cursed.’
10. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
11. 20‘The one who sleeps with his father’s wife is cursed, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’A
12. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
13. 21‘The one who has sexual intercourse with any animal is cursed.’
14. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
15. 22‘The one who sleeps with his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter is cursed.’
16. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
17. 23‘The one who sleeps with his mother-in-law is cursed.’
18. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
19. 24‘The one who secretly kills his neighbor is cursed.’
20. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
21. 25‘The one who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person is cursed.’
22. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’
23. 26‘Anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice is cursed.’
24. And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’