Stone Memorials

27 Moses and the elders of Israel gave these orders to the people: “Observe all of the commandments^[a] that I’m giving^[b] you today. ² On the day you cross over the Jordan River to the land that the Lord your God is about to give you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. ³ Then inscribe on them all the words of this Law when you’ve crossed over into the land that the Lord your God is about to give you—a land flowing with milk and honey—just as the Lord God of your ancestors promised you.

⁴ “When you have crossed the Jordan River, set up these stones about which I’m commanding you today on Mount Ebal, and coat them with plaster. ⁵ Then build an altar there to the Lord your God, an altar of stones that hasn’t been worked with iron tools. ⁶ Build the altar to the Lord your God with uncut stones, then offer a burnt offering to him.^{[c] 7} Offer a burnt offering there, then eat and rejoice in the presence of the Lord your God. ⁸ Inscribe on the stones plainly and distinctly^[d] all the words of this Law.”

⁹ Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to Israel. They said, “Be quiet and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. ¹⁰ Listen to his voice^[e] and carry out his commands and statutes that I’m giving^[f] you today.”