Deuteronomy 27

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

1Moses and the older leaders of Israel spoke to the people. They said, "Keep every command I give you today."

2And 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:

2"Soon you will cross the Jordan River into the land God is giving you. On that day, set up some big stones. Cover them with plaster, like white paste."

3And 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.

3"Write all the words of this law on the stones. Do this after you cross the river into the land God is giving you. It is a rich land, full of milk and honey. God promised it long ago to your fathers and grandfathers."

4Therefore 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.

4"After you cross the Jordan River, set up these stones on Mount Ebal. Cover them with plaster, just as I am telling you today."

5And 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.

5"There you must also build an altar for the LORD your God. An altar is a stone table for gifts to God. Build it out of stones, and do not cut them with iron tools."

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

6"Build the LORD's altar with whole stones, just as you found them. On that altar, burn animal gifts to the LORD your God."

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

7"Also bring peace offerings, which are gifts you share as a meal. Eat there and be glad in front of the LORD your God."

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

8"Write all the words of this law on the stones. Write them clearly, so everyone can read them."

9And 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.

9Then Moses and the priests from the family of Levi spoke to all Israel. They said, "Be quiet and listen, Israel. Today you have become the people of the LORD your God."

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

10"So obey the voice of the LORD your God. Do what he tells you and follow his rules, which I give you today."

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

11That same day, Moses gave the people these orders. He said:

12These 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:

12"After you cross the Jordan River, six tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim. They will speak good words over the people. They are Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin."

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

13"And six tribes will stand on Mount Ebal to speak the curses. They are Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali."

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

14"Then the Levites will call out to every man of Israel in a loud voice."

15Cursed 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.

15"Trouble will come to anyone who makes an idol. An idol is a fake god, carved from wood or made from melted metal. The LORD hates it. It is only something a worker made with his hands. Even hiding it away is wrong. Then all the people will answer, "Amen."

Note"Amen" is a word that means "yes, that is true" or "let it be so." The people said it out loud together to show they agreed.

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

16"Trouble will come to anyone who treats his father or mother as worth nothing." And all the people will say, "Amen."

NoteThe old English says "setteth light by." It does not mean shining a light. It means treating someone as if they do not matter.

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

17"Trouble will come to anyone who moves the stone that marks his neighbor's land." And all the people will say, "Amen."

NoteA "landmark" here is not a famous building. It is a stone that shows where one person's field ends and the next one starts. Moving it steals land.

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

18"Trouble will come to anyone who sends a blind man down the wrong road." And all the people will say, "Amen."

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

19"Trouble will come to anyone who is unfair in court to a foreigner, a child with no father, or a widow." And all the people will say, "Amen."

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

20"Trouble will come to any man who sleeps with his father's wife. He has shamed his own father." And all the people will say, "Amen."

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

21"Trouble will come to any man who has sex with an animal." And all the people will say, "Amen."

22Cursed 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.

22"Trouble will come to any man who sleeps with his sister. This means his father's daughter or his mother's daughter." And all the people will say, "Amen."

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

23"Trouble will come to any man who sleeps with his wife's mother." And all the people will say, "Amen."

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

24"Trouble will come to anyone who kills his neighbor in secret." And all the people will say, "Amen."

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

25"Trouble will come to anyone who takes money to kill a person who did nothing wrong." And all the people will say, "Amen."

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

26"Trouble will come to anyone who does not keep and obey all the words of this law." And all the people will say, "Amen."