Moses and the Elders Speak
27 1 Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: "Keep the whole commandment that I command you today."
Stones of the Covenant
2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that your Father is giving you, you shall set up large stones and coat them with plaster. 3 You shall write on them all the words of this law when you cross over, so that you may enter the land that your Father is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as our Father promised you. 4 When you have crossed the Jordan, you shall set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. 1 1 v4 Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim are twin mountains flanking the city of Shechem in central Canaan; the covenant ceremony placed the blessing on one and the curse on the other.
5 There you shall build an altar to your Father, an altar of stones; you must not use an iron tool on them. 6 You shall build the altar of your Father with uncut stones, and offer burnt offerings on it to your Father. 7 You shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat them there, and rejoice before your Father. 8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very clearly.
You Are His People
9 Then Moses and the levitical priests spoke to all Israel: "Be silent, Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of your Father.
Walk in His Ways
10 Obey your Father, keeping his commandments and his statutes that I command you today.
The Blessing and the Curse
11 That same day Moses commanded the people:
Twelve Voices, One Amen
12 "When you have crossed the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 And the Levites will call out to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
15 'Cursed is anyone who makes a carved or cast idol — an abomination to our Father, the work of a craftsman's hands — and sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen.'
16 'Cursed is anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
17 'Cursed is anyone who moves his neighbor's boundary marker.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
18 'Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person astray on the road.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
19 'Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
20 'Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father's wife, for he has dishonored his father's marriage.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
21 'Cursed is anyone who sleeps with any animal.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
22 'Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
23 'Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
24 'Cursed is anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
25 'Cursed is anyone who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
26 'Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.' 2 2 v26 Paul quotes this verse in Galatians 3:10 to show that everyone who relies on keeping the law falls under its curse — a curse Jesus lifted by becoming a curse for us on the cross (Galatians 3:13).