2
Someone who is living among you might do what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God. It might happen in one of the towns the LORD is giving you. That person is breaking the LORD's covenant.
3
The person might have worshiped or bowed down to other gods. That person might have bowed down to the sun or moon or stars in the sky. I have commanded you not to do those things.
4
When you hear that people have done something like that, check the matter out carefully. If it's true, an evil thing has been done in Israel. It's something the LORD hates.
5
So take the person who has done that evil thing to your city gate. Put that person to death with stones.
6
The witness of two or three people is required to put someone to death. No one can be put to death because of what only one witness says. It needs the witness of two or three people.
7
The witnesses must throw the first stones. Then the rest of the people must also throw stones. Get rid of that evil person.
Law Courts
8 People will bring their cases to your courts. But some cases will be too hard for you to judge. They might be about murders, attacks or other crimes. Then take those hard cases to the place the LORD your God will choose.
9
Go to a priest, who is a Levite. And go to the judge who is in office at that time. Ask them for their decision. They will give it to you.
10
They'll hand down their decisions at the place the LORD will choose. You must do what they decide. Be careful to do everything they direct you to do.
11
Act in keeping with the laws they teach you. Accept the decisions they give you. Don't turn away from what they tell you. Don't turn to the right or the left.
12
Someone might make fun of the judge. Or he might make fun of the priest who serves the LORD your God at the place he will choose. If the man does that, he must be put to death. Remove that evil person from Israel.