⁹ As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted,^(A) let them be under God’s curse!

¹⁷ I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.^(A) Keep away from them.^(B)

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:^(A) If anyone adds anything to them,^(B) God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.^{(C) 19} And if anyone takes words away^(D) from this scroll of prophecy,^(E) God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life^(F) and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

² Do not add^(A) to what I command you and do not subtract^(B) from it, but keep^(C) the commands^(D) of the Lord your God that I give you.

Final Warnings

13 This will be my third visit to you.^(A) “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”^{[a](B) 2} I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent:^(C) On my return I will not spare^(D) those who sinned earlier^(E) or any of the others,

¹⁷ Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner^(A) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

³² See that you do all I command you; do not add^(A) to it or take away from it.^[a]

Worshiping Other Gods

13 ^[b]If a prophet,^(B) or one who foretells by dreams,^(C) appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, ² and if the sign^(D) or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods”^(E) (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” ³ you must not listen to the words of that prophet^(F) or dreamer.^(G) The Lord your God is testing^(H) you to find out whether you love^(I) him with all your heart and with all your soul. ⁴ It is the Lord your God you must follow,^(J) and him you must revere.^(K) Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast^(L) to him. ⁵ That prophet or dreamer must be put to death^(M) for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn^(N) you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil^(O) from among you.

⁶ If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices^(P) you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods”^(Q) (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known, ⁷ gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), ⁸ do not yield^(R) to them or listen to them. Show them no pity.^(S) Do not spare them or shield them. ⁹ You must certainly put them to death.^(T) Your hand^(U) must be the first in putting them to death, and then the hands of all the people. ¹⁰ Stone them to death, because they tried to turn you away^(V) from the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ¹¹ Then all Israel will hear and be afraid,^(W) and no one among you will do such an evil thing again.

No Confidence in the Flesh

3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again,^(A) and it is a safeguard for you.