Deuteronomy 27:15-26
Common English Bible
15 “Cursed is anyone who makes an idol or an image—things detestable to the Lord, made by artisans—and sets it up secretly.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”[a]
16 “Cursed is anyone who belittles their father or mother.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
17 “Cursed is anyone who tampers with their neighbor’s property lines.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
18 “Cursed is anyone who misleads a blind person on a road.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
19 “Cursed is anyone who obstructs the legal rights of immigrants, orphans, or widows.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
20 “Cursed is anyone who has sex with his father’s wife, because that exposes his father’s private matters.”[b]
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
21 “Cursed is anyone who has sex with any kind of animal.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
22 “Cursed is anyone who has sex with his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
23 “Cursed is anyone who has sex with his mother-in-law.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
24 “Cursed is anyone who kills his neighbor in secret.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
25 “Cursed is anyone who accepts money to kill an innocent person.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
26 “Cursed is anyone who doesn’t support the words of this Instruction by carrying them out.”
All the people will reply: “We agree!”
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- Deuteronomy 27:15 Heb Amen; also in the following verses
- Deuteronomy 27:20 Or because that uncovers his father’s skirt
Deuteronomy 27:15-26
Living Bible
15 “‘The curse of God be upon anyone who makes and worships an idol, even in secret, whether carved of wood or made from molten metal—for these handmade gods are hated by the Lord.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
16 “‘Cursed is anyone who despises his father or mother.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
17 “‘Cursed is he who moves the boundary marker between his land and his neighbor’s.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
18 “‘Cursed is he who takes advantage of a blind man.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
19 “‘Cursed is he who is unjust to the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
20 “‘Cursed is he who commits adultery with one of his father’s wives, for she belongs to his father.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
21 “‘Cursed is he who has sexual intercourse with an animal.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
22 “‘Cursed is he who has sexual intercourse with his sister, whether she be a full sister or a half sister.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
23 “‘Cursed is he who has sexual intercourse with his widowed[a] mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
24 “‘Cursed is he who secretly slays another.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
25 “‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
26 “‘Cursed is anyone who does not obey these laws.’ And all the people shall reply, ‘Amen.’
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- Deuteronomy 27:23 widowed, implied. If she were still married, no special law would be needed to prohibit adultery.
Deuteronomy 27:15-26
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
15 ‘Cursed be anyone who makes an idol or casts an image, anything abhorrent to the Lord, the work of an artisan, and sets it up in secret.’ All the people shall respond, saying, ‘Amen!’
16 ‘Cursed be anyone who dishonours father or mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
17 ‘Cursed be anyone who moves a neighbour’s boundary marker.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
18 ‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind person on the road.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
19 ‘Cursed be anyone who deprives the alien, the orphan, and the widow of justice.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
20 ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father’s wife, because he has violated his father’s rights.’[a] All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
21 ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
22 ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
23 ‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
24 ‘Cursed be anyone who strikes down a neighbour in secret.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
25 ‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
26 ‘Cursed be anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by observing them.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
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- Deuteronomy 27:20 Heb uncovered his father’s skirt
Deuteronomy 27:15-26
New King James Version
15 (A)‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, [a]an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’
(B)“And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’
16 (C)‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
17 (D)‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
18 (E)‘Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
19 (F)‘Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
20 (G)‘Cursed is the one who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s bed.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
21 (H)‘Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
22 (I)‘Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
23 (J)‘Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
24 (K)‘Cursed is the one who attacks his neighbor secretly.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
25 (L)‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
26 (M)‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ”
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- Deuteronomy 27:15 a detestable thing
Deuteronomy 27:15-26
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
15 [a]“Cursed be anyone who makes a carved or molten idol,(A) an abomination to the Lord, the work of a craftsman’s hands, and sets it up in secret!” And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
16 “Cursed be anyone who dishonors father or mother!”(B) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
17 “Cursed be anyone who moves a neighbor’s boundary markers!”(C) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
18 “Cursed be anyone who misleads the blind on their way!”(D) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
19 “Cursed be anyone who deprives the resident alien, the orphan or the widow of justice!”(E) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
20 “Cursed be anyone who has relations with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed!”(F) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
21 “Cursed be anyone who has relations with any animal!”(G) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
22 “Cursed be anyone who has relations with his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter!”(H) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
23 “Cursed be anyone who has relations with his mother-in-law!”(I) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
24 “Cursed be anyone who strikes down a neighbor in secret!”(J) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
25 “Cursed be anyone who accepts payment to kill an innocent person!”(K) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
26 “Cursed be anyone whose actions do not uphold the words of this law!”(L) And all the people shall answer, “Amen!”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 27:15–26 The ceremony described here reflects the structure of covenant. The people assent to the directives their covenant Lord sets forth; their “Amen” ratifies the proscription of idolatry, injustice, incest, murder, and infidelity in general. Thus the “love” of the Lord which is at the heart of Israel’s existence as his covenant people (6:4–5) is spelled out in terms of particular actions. The “Amen” is an acceptance of the curses or sanctions entailed by breaking faith with the Lord. Cf. 30:15–20, a concise statement of covenant theology.
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The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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