You will soon go across the Jordan River into the land that the Lord your God is giving you. On that day you must put up large stones. Cover them with plaster.
Then write on the stones all these commands and teachings. You must do this when you go across the Jordan River. Then you may go into the land that the Lord your God is giving you—a land filled with many good things. The Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised to give you this land.
"After you go across the Jordan River, you must do what I command you today. You must set up the stones on Mount Ebal. You must cover these stones with plaster.
Moses and the Levite priests spoke to all the Israelites. Moses said, "Be quiet and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of the Lord your God.
"After you have gone across the Jordan River, these tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to read the blessings to the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
'Cursed is the one who makes a false god and puts it in its secret place. These false gods are only statues that some worker makes from wood, stone or metal. The Lord hates these things!' "Then all the people will answer, 'Amen!'
"The Levites will say, 'Cursed is the one who does not give fair judgment for the foreigners, orphans, and widows!' "Then all the people will say, 'Amen!'