Scriptures

New Living Translation (NLT)

Deuteronomy 12
²⁸ 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.
²⁹ “When the LORD your God goes ahead of you and destroys the nations and you drive them out and live in their land,
³⁰ 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.’
³¹ 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.
³² “So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them.
Deuteronomy 13
¹ “Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles,
² and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before—
³ 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.
⁴ Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.
⁵ 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.
⁶ “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.