But ye shall seek the place which the Lord your God shall (A)choose out of your tribes, to put his Name there, and there to dwell, and thither thou shalt come,

And ye shall bring thither your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the [a]offering of your hands, and your vows, and your free offerings, and the firstborn of your kine and of your sheep.

And there ye shall eat [b]before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, both ye, and your households, because the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.

Ye shall not do after all these things that we do [c]here this day: that is, every man whatsoever seemeth him good in his own eyes.

For ye are not yet come to rest, and to the inheritance which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

10 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land, which the Lord your God hath given you to inherit, and when he hath given you [d]rest from all your enemies round about, and ye dwell in safety,

11 When there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offering of your hands, and all your [e]special vows which ye vow unto the Lord:

12 And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye, and your sons and your daughters, and your servants, and your maidens, and the Levite that is within your gates: (B)for he hath no part nor inheritance with you.

13 Take heed that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest:

14 But in the place which the Lord shall [f]choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 12:6 Meaning, the firstfruits.
  2. Deuteronomy 12:7 Where his Ark shall be.
  3. Deuteronomy 12:8 Not that they sacrificed after their fantasies, but that God would be served more purely in the land of Canaan.
  4. Deuteronomy 12:10 It had not been enough to conquer, except God had maintained them in rest under his protection.
  5. Deuteronomy 12:11 Or, that which ye choose out for your vows.
  6. Deuteronomy 12:14 As was declared ever by the placing of the Ark, as in Shiloh 243 years, or as some write more than 300 years, and in other places till the temple was built.

But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name(A) there for his dwelling.(B) To that place you must go; there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes(C) and special gifts, what you have vowed(D) to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.(E) There, in the presence(F) of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice(G) in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.

You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit,(H) since you have not yet reached the resting place(I) and the inheritance(J) the Lord your God is giving you. 10 But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving(K) you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest(L) from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. 11 Then to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name(M)—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the Lord.(N) 12 And there rejoice(O) before the Lord your God—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites(P) from your towns who have no allotment or inheritance(Q) of their own. 13 Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please.(R) 14 Offer them only at the place the Lord will choose(S) in one of your tribes, and there observe everything I command you.

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