Deuteronomy 27:1-26, NLT

Deuteronomy 27

The Altar on Mount Ebal

1Then Moses and the leaders of Israel gave this charge to the people: “Obey all these commands that I am giving you today.

2When you cross the Jordan River and enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. 3Write this whole body of instruction on them when you cross the river 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 ancestors, promised you. 4When you cross the Jordan, set up these stones at Mount Ebal and coat them with plaster, as I am commanding you today.

5“Then build an altar there to the Lord your God, using natural, uncut stones. You must not shape the stones with an iron tool.

6Build the altar of uncut stones, and use it to offer burnt offerings to the Lord your God. 7Also sacrifice peace offerings on it, and celebrate by feasting there before the Lord your God. 8You must clearly write all these instructions on the stones coated with plaster.”

9Then Moses and the Levitical priests addressed all Israel as follows: “O Israel, be quiet and listen! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God.

10So you must obey the Lord your God by keeping all these commands and decrees that I am giving you today.”

Curses from Mount Ebal

11That same day Moses also gave this charge to the people:

12“When you cross the Jordan River, the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin must stand on Mount Gerizim to proclaim a blessing over the people. 13And the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali must stand on Mount Ebal to proclaim a curse.

14“Then the Levites will shout to all the people of Israel:

15‘Cursed is anyone who carves or casts an idol and secretly sets it up. These idols, the work of craftsmen, are detestable to the Lord.’