29 “When the Lord your God annihilates the nations before you,(A) which you are entering to take possession of,(B) and you drive them out and live in their land, 30 be careful not to be ensnared by their ways(C) after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I’ll also do the same.’ 31 You must not do the same to the Lord your God, because they practice every detestable act, which the Lord hates, for their gods. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Be careful to do everything I command you; do not add anything to it or take anything away from it.(D)

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Warning against Idolatry

29 “When the Lord your God has cut off before you the nations whom you are about to enter to dispossess them, when you have dispossessed them and live in their land, 30 take care that you are not snared into imitating them, after they have been destroyed before you; do not inquire concerning their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also want to do the same.’ 31 You must not do the same for the Lord your God, because every abhorrent thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods. They would even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.(A) 32 [a]You must diligently observe everything that I command you; do not add to it or take anything from it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.32 13.1 in Heb