Moses and the Elders Speak
27 1 Moses and Israel's elders commanded the people: Keep every command I give you today. 2 When you cross the Jordan into the land your Father is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. 3 Write on them all the words of this law when you cross over, to enter the land your Father gives you — a land flowing with milk and honey, as our Father promised you. 4 When you cross the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. a a 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, build an altar to your Father, an altar of stones; let no iron tool touch them. 6 Build your Father's altar 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 Moses and the Levitical priests told all Israel: "Quiet, Israel, and listen. Today you became the people of your Father." 10 Obey your Father, keeping his commandments and his statutes that I command you today.
11 That same day Moses commanded the people: 12 After crossing the Jordan, these will 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 carves or casts an idol — detestable to our Father, made by a craftsman's hands — and sets it up in secret.' All the people must answer, 'Amen.'
16 'Cursed is anyone who dishonors father or mother.' All the people 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 misleads a blind man on the road." All the people shall say, "Amen."
19 'Cursed is anyone who denies justice to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.' All the people will say, 'Amen.'
20 Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father's wife, for he violated his father's marriage. All the people must 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, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter. 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.' All the people say, 'Amen.'
26 'Cursed is anyone who does not uphold and obey the words of this law.' All the people shall say, 'Amen.' b b 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).
