Immerse: Beginnings Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 305
12:23–13:9
D e u teronom y
293
But never consume the blood, for the blood is the life, and you must not
consume the lifeblood with the meat. Instead, pour out the blood on the
ground like water. Do not consume the blood, so that all may go well with
you and your children after you, because you will be doing what pleases
the Lord.
“Take your sacred gifts and your offerings given to fulfill a vow to the
place the Lord chooses. You must offer the meat and blood of your burnt
offerings on the altar of the Lord your God. The blood of your other
sacrifices must be poured out on the altar of the Lord your God, but you
may eat the meat. Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go
well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what
is good and pleasing to the Lord your God.
“When the Lord your God goes ahead of you and destroys the nations
and you drive them out and live in their land, do not fall into the trap of
following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about
their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to
follow their example.’ You must not worship the Lord your God the way
the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every
detestable act that the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods.
“So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add
anything to them or subtract anything from them.
“Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about
the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs
or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—
gods you have not known b efore—do not listen to them. The Lord your
God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.
Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands,
listen to his voice, and cling to him. The false prophets or visionaries who
try to lead you astray must be put to death, for they encourage rebellion
against the Lord your God, who redeemed you from slavery and brought
you out of the land of Egypt. Since they try to lead you astray from the way
the Lord your God commanded you to live, you must put them to death.
In this way you will purge the evil from among you.
“Suppose someone secretly entices you—even your brother, your son
or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend—and says, ‘Let us
go worship other gods’—gods that neither you nor your ancestors have
known. They might suggest that you worship the gods of peoples who
live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth. But do not give in or
listen. Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. You must put them
to death! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join
