Deuteronomy 27 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Moses, along with Israel's elders, gave the people this command: "Keep every instruction I'm giving you today."

On the day you cross the Jordan into the land Yahweh your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster.

Write on them every word of this instruction once you've crossed over, so you can enter the land Yahweh your God is giving you — a land flowing with milk and honey — just as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

Once you've crossed the Jordan, set these stones up on Mount Ebal, just as I'm telling you today, and coat them with plaster.

Build an altar there to Yahweh your God — an altar made of stones. Don't use any iron tool on them.

Build Yahweh your God's altar with whole, uncut stones, and offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God.

Sacrifice fellowship offerings and eat them there, celebrating in front of Yahweh your God.

Write every word of this instruction on the stones, clearly and carefully.

Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, "Be quiet and listen, Israel. Today you have become the people of Yahweh your God."

So obey the voice of Yahweh your God and follow his instructions and firm rules that I'm giving you today.

That same day Moses gave the people these orders:

"When you cross the Jordan, these tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to affirm the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin."

"And these tribes will stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali."

The Levites will then declare in a loud voice to every person in Israel:

"Cursed is anyone who carves or casts an idol — something disgusting to Yahweh, the work of a craftsman's hands — and sets it up in secret." And all the people will answer, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor's boundary marker." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person off the road." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who twists justice for the immigrant, the orphan, or the widow." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father's wife, because he has violated what belongs to his father." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who has sex with any animal." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister — whether his father's daughter or his mother's daughter." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who secretly kills their neighbor." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."

"Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this instruction by following them." And all the people will say, "Absolutely."