New Living Translation (NLT)
Deuteronomy 16
15 For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the LORD your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all.
16 “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the LORD without a gift for him.
17 All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the LORD your God.
18 “Appoint judges and officials for yourselves from each of your tribes in all the towns the LORD your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly.
19 You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.
20 Let true justice prevail, so you may live and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
21 “You must never set up a wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build for the LORD your God.
22 And never set up sacred pillars for worship, for the LORD your God hates them.
Deuteronomy 17
1 “Never sacrifice sick or defective cattle, sheep, or goats to the LORD your God, for he detests such gifts.
2 “When you begin living in the towns the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of the LORD your God and violate the covenant.
3 For instance, they might serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven—which I have strictly forbidden.
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