Deuteronomy 27 - Introduction

1 The people are commanded to write the Law vpon stones,

5 and to build an Altar of whole stones.

11 The Tribes diuided on Gerizzim and Ebal.

14 The curses pronounced on mount Ebal.

1 And Moses with the Elders of Israel commaunded the people, saying, Keepe all the Commandements which I command you this day.

2 And it shall be on the day [Note: Joshua 4:1.] when you shall passe ouer Iordan, vnto the land which the Lord thy God giueth

[Exhortations to obedience.]

thee, that thou shalt set thee vp great stones, and plaister them with plaister.

3 And thou shalt write vpon them all the words of this Law when thou art passed ouer, that thou mayest goe in vnto the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee, a land that floweth with milke and hony, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

4 Therefore it shall be when ye bee gone ouer Iordan, that yee shall set vp these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

5 And there shalt thou build an Altar vnto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: [Note: Exodus 20:25; Joshua 8:31.] thou shalt not lift vp any yron toole vpon them.

6 Thou shalt build the Altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings theron vnto the Lord thy God.

7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eate there, and reioyce before the Lord thy God.

8 And thou shalt write vpon the stones all the words of this Law very plainely.

9 And Moses, and the Priestes the Leuites, spake vnto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken O Israel, this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.

10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voyce of the Lord thy God, and doe his Commandements, and his Statutes which I command thee this day.

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

12 These shall stand vpon mount Gerizzim to blesse the people, when yee are come ouer Iordan: Simeon, and Leui, and Iudah, and Issachar, and Ioseph, and Beniamin.

13 And these shall stand vpon mount Ebal [Note: Hebrew: for a cursing.] to curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, & Naphtali.

14 And [Note: Daniel 9:11.] the Leuites shal speake, and say vnto all the men of Israel with a loud voyce:

15 Cursed be the man that maketh any grauen or molten image, an abomination vnto the Lord, the worke of the handes of the craftesman, and putteth it in a secret place: and all the people shall answere and say, Amen.

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

[Blessings for the obedient.]

17 Cursed be he that remooueth his neighbours land-marke: and all the people shall say, Amen.

18 Cursed be hee that maketh the blinde to wander out of the way: and all the people shall say, Amen.

19 Cursed be hee that peruerteth the iudgement of the stranger, fatherlesse, and widow: and all the people shall say, Amen.

20 Cursed be hee that lieth with his fathers wife, because he vncouereth his fathers skirt: and all the people shall say, Amen.

21 Cursed be hee that lieth with any maner of beast: and all the people shall say, Amen.

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

23 Cursed be hee that lieth with his mother in law: and all the people shall say, Amen.

24 Cursed be hee that smiteth his neighbour secretly: and all the people shall say, Amen.

25 [Note: Ezekiel 22:12.] Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person: and all the people shall say, Amen.

26 [Note: Galatians 3:10.] Cursed be hee that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to doe them: and al the people shal say, Amen.