Deuteronomy 18:13
New International Version
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

New Living Translation
But you must be blameless before the LORD your God.

English Standard Version
You shall be blameless before the LORD your God,

Berean Standard Bible
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

King James Bible
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

New King James Version
You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.

New American Standard Bible
You are to be blameless before the LORD your God.

NASB 1995
“You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.

NASB 1977
“You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall be blameless before Yahweh your God.

Amplified Bible
You shall be blameless (complete, perfect) before the LORD your God.

Christian Standard Bible
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt be perfect with Jehovah thy God.

Contemporary English Version
Never be guilty of doing any of these disgusting things!

English Revised Version
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You must have integrity [in dealing] with the LORD your God.

Good News Translation
Be completely faithful to the LORD."

International Standard Version
You must be completely faithful to the LORD your God,

Majority Standard Bible
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

NET Bible
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

New Heart English Bible
You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

World English Bible
You shall be blameless with Yahweh your God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You must be perfect with your God YHWH,

Young's Literal Translation
Perfect thou art with Jehovah thy God,

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt be perfect with Jehovah thy God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt be perfect, and without spot before the Lord thy God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall be perfect and without blemish with the Lord your God.

New American Bible
You must be altogether sincere with the LORD, your God.

New Revised Standard Version
You must remain completely loyal to the LORD your God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall be innocent before the LORD your God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Be perfect before LORD JEHOVAH your God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt be whole-hearted with the LORD thy God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt be perfect before the Lord thy God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sorcery Forbidden
12For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. 13You must be blameless before the LORD your God. 14Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

James 1:4
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.

Ephesians 5:27
and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Colossians 1:28
We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Psalm 101:2
I will ponder the way that is blameless—when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.

1 Kings 8:61
So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.”

2 Corinthians 11:2
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.


Treasury of Scripture

You shall be perfect with the LORD your God.

Thou shalt

Genesis 6:9
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Job 1:1,8
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil…

perfect.

Jump to Previous
Blameless Heart Perfect Upright Whole-Hearted
Jump to Next
Blameless Heart Perfect Upright Whole-Hearted
Deuteronomy 18
1. The LORD is the priests and Levites' inheritance
3. The priests' due
6. The Levites' portion
9. The abominations of the nations are to be avoided
15. Christ the Prophet is to be heard
20. The presumptuous prophet is to die














You must be
This phrase indicates a command, not a suggestion. The Hebrew word used here is "תִּהְיֶה" (tihyeh), which is in the imperative form, emphasizing the necessity and urgency of the action. It reflects God's expectation for His people to actively pursue a certain standard of living. In the context of ancient Israel, this command was part of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience was a sign of faithfulness and devotion.

blameless
The Hebrew word for "blameless" is "תָּמִים" (tamim), which conveys a sense of completeness, integrity, and moral purity. It does not imply sinlessness but rather a wholehearted commitment to God and His commandments. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being blameless was often associated with fulfilling one's duties and maintaining a right relationship with the divine. For the Israelites, this meant living in accordance with the laws given by God, which set them apart from the surrounding nations.

before
The Hebrew word "עִם" (im) can be translated as "with" or "before," indicating a sense of presence and accountability. Living "before" the LORD implies that one's actions and character are constantly in the sight of God. This awareness of divine observation was meant to encourage the Israelites to live righteously, knowing that God is both their witness and judge.

the LORD
The term "LORD" is a translation of the tetragrammaton "יהוה" (YHWH), the personal name of God revealed to Moses. This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenantal relationship with Israel. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and the special bond He shares with His people. The use of this name in the command underscores the authority and holiness of the One who requires blamelessness.

your God
This phrase personalizes the relationship between the Israelites and God. The Hebrew word "אֱלֹהֶיךָ" (Elohecha) is a possessive form, indicating that the LORD is not just any deity, but specifically the God of Israel. This personal relationship is foundational to the covenant, where God promises to be their God, and they are to be His people. It highlights the exclusivity and intimacy of the bond, calling the Israelites to a higher standard of living as a reflection of their unique identity as God's chosen people.

(13) Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.--Rashi's note on this is worth preserving: "Thou shalt walk with Him in sincerity, and wait for Him. And thou shalt not pry into the future. But whatsoever cometh upon thee, take it with simplicity, and then thou shalt be with Him, and be His portion."

Verse 13. - Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. The word translated "per-feet" properly means entire, whole, answering to the Latin integer; it is used only in a moral sense, and is best rendered by "upright;" the Israelites were to be upright and sincere with, i.e. in relation with, Jehovah their God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You must be
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

blameless
תָּמִ֣ים (tā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8549: Entire, integrity, truth

before
עִ֖ם (‘im)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


Links
Deuteronomy 18:13 NIV
Deuteronomy 18:13 NLT
Deuteronomy 18:13 ESV
Deuteronomy 18:13 NASB
Deuteronomy 18:13 KJV

Deuteronomy 18:13 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 18:13 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 18:13 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 18:13 French Bible
Deuteronomy 18:13 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 18:13 You shall be perfect with Yahweh your (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 18:12
Top of Page
Top of Page