Stones inscribed with the law
1Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: Keep every commandment I am giving you today. 2On the day you cross the Jordan into the land Yahweh your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. 3Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over, so that you may enter the land Yahweh your God is giving you — a land flowing with milk and honey — as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4When you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and coat them with plaster. 5Build there an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them. 6Build the altar of Yahweh your God with uncut stones, and offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God. 7Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eat them, and rejoice in the presence of Yahweh your God. 8And write very clearly on the stones all the words of this law.
Blessing from Gerizim, curses from Ebal
9Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel: Be silent, Israel, and listen. This day you have become the people of Yahweh your God. 10Obey Yahweh your God and follow his commandments and statutes I am giving you today. 11That same day Moses commanded the people: 12When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes are to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13And these are to stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce the curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14The Levites are to recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
The twelve curses
15“Cursed is anyone who makes a carved or cast image — detestable to Yahweh, the work of a craftsman’s hands — and sets it up in secret.” Then all the people are to answer, “Amen!” 16“Cursed is anyone who dishonors his father or mother.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 17“Cursed is anyone who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 18“Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person astray on the road.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 19“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 20“Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father’s wife, since he has dishonored his father’s bed.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 21“Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with any animal.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 22“Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 23“Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 24“Cursed is anyone who kills his neighbor in secret.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 25“Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!” 26“Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by doing them.” Then all the people are to say, “Amen!”
