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The Altar on Mount Ebal

(Exodus 20:24-26)

¹ Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today.² And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land the LORD your God is giving you, you are to set up large stones and coat them with plaster.³ Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.⁴ And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster.⁵ Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.⁶ You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.⁷ There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.⁸ And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law.”⁹ Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD your God.¹⁰ You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God and follow His commandments and statutes I am giving you today.”

Curses Pronounced from Ebal

¹¹ On that day Moses commanded the people:¹² “When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.¹³ And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.¹⁴ Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:¹⁵ ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—which is detestable to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’¹⁶ ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’¹⁷ ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’¹⁸ ‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’¹⁹ ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’²⁰ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed^(a).’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’²¹ ‘Cursed is he who has sexual relations with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’²² ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’²³ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’²⁴ ‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’²⁵ ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’²⁶ ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’”