Deuteronomy 13:1-9

1 Prophets or those who tell the future with dreams might come to you and say they will show you a miracle or a sign.
2 The miracle or sign might even happen, and then they might say, "Let's serve other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let's worship them."
3 But you must not listen to those prophets or dreamers. The Lord your God is testing you, to find out if you love him with your whole being.
4 Serve only the Lord your God. Respect him, keep his commands, and obey him. Serve him and be loyal to him.
5 The prophets or dreamers must be killed, because they said you should turn against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and saved you from the land where you were slaves. They tried to turn you from doing what the Lord your God commanded you to do. You must get rid of the evil among you.
6 Someone might try to lead you to serve other gods -- it might be your brother, your son or daughter, the wife you love, or a close friend. The person might say, "Let's go and worship other gods." (These are gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known,
7 gods of the people who live around you, either nearby or far away, from one end of the land to the other.)
8 Do not give in to such people. Do not listen or feel sorry for them, and do not let them go free or protect them.
9 You must put them to death. You must be the first one to start to kill them, and then everyone else must join in.

Deuteronomy 13:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 13

In this chapter the Israelites are taught how to discern a false prophet, shun and punish him, De 13:1-5, what to do with enticers to idolatry, not only not to consent to them, but, without favour and affection to them, endeavour to bring them to just punishment, and be the first that should inflict it on them, De 13:6-11 and how to behave towards a city drawn into idolatry, as to inquire the truth of it; then make war against it; destroy all in it, men, women, children, and cattle; and burn the spoil of it, and suffer not anything at all belonging to it to cleave unto them, De 13:12-18.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.