Deuteronomy 17:1-9 ▼

1 You are not to sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has a defect or any flaw in it, because that is detestable to the LORD your God.|

2 |You may discover that a man or woman living in one of your cities that the LORD your God is about to give you has done evil in the eyes of the LORD your God by transgressing his covenant.

3 He may be following and serving other gods by bowing down to them—that is, to the sun, the moon, or to any of the heavenly host (something I did not command).

4 When it is reported to you or you hear of it, then investigate it thoroughly. When the truth has been established that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,

5 summon the man or the woman who did this evil thing to your city gates. Then stone the man or the woman to death.

6 Based on the testimony of two or three witnesses, they must surely die. But they are not to die based on the testimony of one person.

7 Let the witnesses be the first to begin executing them, then the rest of the people shall follow. By doing this you will purge evil from among you.|

8 |If a case is too difficult for you to decide with respect to bloodshed, civil claims, assault and battery, or other matters of dispute within your courts, bring it to the place that the LORD your God will choose.

9 Present the case to the Levitical priest or the judge at that time. When you have inquired and they have announced the verdict,