The Altar on Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30–35)
1 CPDV Then Moses and the elders of Israel instructed the people, saying: “Keep each commandment that I instruct to you this day. BSB BSB: Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today.
2 CPDV And when you have crossed over the Jordan, into the land which the Lord your God will give to you, you shall erect immense stones, and you shall coat them with plaster, BSB BSB: And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster.
3 CPDV so that you may be able to write upon them all the words of this law, when you have crossed the Jordan so as to enter into the land which the Lord your God will give to you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as he swore to your fathers. BSB BSB: Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4 CPDV Therefore, when you have crossed over the Jordan, erect the stones, just as I instruct you to do this day, on Mount Ebal. And you shall coat them with plaster, BSB BSB: And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster.
5 CPDV and you shall build, in that place, an altar to the Lord your God out of stones which have not been touched by iron, BSB BSB: Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.
6 CPDV out of stones which have not been hewn or polished. And you shall offer holocausts on it to the Lord your God. BSB BSB: You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.
7 CPDV And you shall immolate peace victims. And you shall eat and feast in that place, in the sight of the Lord your God. BSB BSB: There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.
8 CPDV And you shall write upon the stones all the words of this law, plainly and clearly.” BSB BSB: And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law.”
9 CPDV And Moses and the priests of Levitical stock said to all of Israel: “Attend and listen, O Israel! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. BSB BSB: Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD your God.
10 CPDV You shall listen to his voice, and you shall do the commandments and justices, which I am entrusting to you.” BSB BSB: You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God and follow His commandments and statutes I am giving you today.”
Curses Pronounced from Ebal 11 CPDV And Moses instructed the people in that day, saying: BSB BSB: On that day Moses commanded the people:
12 CPDV “These shall stand upon Mount Gerizim, as a blessing to the people, when you will have crossed the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. BSB BSB: “When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
13 CPDV And in the opposite region, there shall stand upon Mount Ebal, as a curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. BSB BSB: And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 CPDV And the Levites shall pronounce and declare to all the men of Israel, with an exalted voice: BSB BSB: Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:
16 CPDV Cursed be he who does not honor his father and mother. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
17 CPDV Cursed be he who removes his neighbor’s landmarks. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
18 CPDV Cursed be he who causes the blind to go astray on a journey. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
19 CPDV Cursed be he who subverts the judgment of the new arrival, the orphan, or the widow. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
20 CPDV Cursed be he who lies with his father’s wife, and so exposes the covering of his bed. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
21 CPDV Cursed be he who lies with any beast. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
22 CPDV Cursed be he who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father, or of his mother. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
23 CPDV Cursed be he who lies with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
24 CPDV Cursed be he who secretly strikes down his neighbor. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
25 CPDV Cursed be he who accepts gifts in order to strike down the life of innocent blood. And all the people shall say: Amen. BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
26 CPDV Cursed be he who does not remain in the words of this law, and does not carry them out in deed. And all the people shall say: Amen.” BSB BSB: ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.