The Law Written on Stones

27 Then Moses, along with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commands I have ·given [commanded] you today. ² Soon you will cross the Jordan River to go into the land the Lord your God is giving you. On that day set up some large stones and cover them with plaster. ³ When you cross over, write all the words of these ·teachings [laws; instructions] on them. Then you may enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a ·fertile land [^Lland flowing with milk and honey; Ex. 3:8], just as the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers], promised. ⁴ After you have crossed the Jordan River, set up these stones on Mount Ebal [11:29; Josh. 8:30–35], as I command you today, and cover them with plaster. ⁵ Build an altar of stones there to the Lord your God, but don’t use any iron tool to cut the stones [Ex. 20:25]; ⁶ build the altar of the Lord your God with ·stones from the field [uncut stones; ^Lwhole stones]. Offer burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] on it to the Lord your God, ⁷ and offer ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1] there, and eat them and rejoice before the Lord your God. ⁸ Then write clearly all the words of these ·teachings [laws; instructions] on the stones.”

Curses of the Law

⁹ Then Moses and the Levites who were priests spoke to all Israel and said, “Be ·quiet [silent], Israel. Listen! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. ¹⁰ ·Obey [^LListen to the voice of] the Lord your God, and keep his commands and ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] that I ·give [command] you today.”