29 The Lord your God will cut off(A) before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land,(B) 30 and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared(C) by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.”(D) 31 You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates.(E) They even burn their sons(F) and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.(G)

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 12:32 In Hebrew texts this verse (12:32) is numbered 13:1.

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)

Read full chapter