³¹ “‘Do not turn to mediums^(A) or seek out spiritists,^(B) for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

⁶ “‘I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.^(A)

²⁷ “‘A man or woman who is a medium^(A) or spiritist among you must be put to death.^(B) You are to stone them;^(C) their blood will be on their own heads.’”

¹⁰ Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire,^(A) who practices divination^(B) or sorcery,^(C) interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,^(D)

¹¹ or casts spells,^(A) or who is a medium or spiritist^(B) or who consults the dead.

Saul and the Medium at Endor

³ Now Samuel was dead,^(A) and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah.^(B) Saul had expelled^(C) the mediums and spiritists^(D) from the land.

⁴ The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem,^(E) while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa.^{(F) 5} When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror^(G) filled his heart. ⁶ He inquired^(H) of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams^(I) or Urim^(J) or prophets.^{(K) 7} Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium,^(L) so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,^(M)” they said.

⁸ So Saul disguised^(N) himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult^(O) a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

⁹ But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off^(P) the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap^(Q) for my life to bring about my death?”

¹⁰ Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”

⁹ So do not listen to your prophets,^(A) your diviners,^(B) your interpreters of dreams,^(C) your mediums^(D) or your sorcerers^(E) who tell you, ‘You will not serve^(F) the king of Babylon.’

¹⁰ They prophesy lies^(A) to you that will only serve to remove^(B) you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish.