Deuteronomy 13

1If a prophet or one who has dreams appears among you and gives you a sign or a wonder,

2and the sign or wonder he told you about comes true, and he says, ‘Let us follow other gods,’ gods you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’

3do not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer, for Yahweh your God is testing you to find out whether you love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4Follow Yahweh your God and fear him. Keep his commandments, obey his voice, serve him, and hold fast to him.

5That prophet or that dreamer must be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. He has tried to lead you away from the way in which Yahweh your God commanded you to walk. So you must purge the evil from among you.

6Your brother, your mother’s son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your friend who is as dear to you as your own life may secretly entice you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known,

7some of the gods of the peoples around you, whether near you or far from you, from one end of the earth to the other.

8If so, do not yield to him or listen to him. Do not look on him with pity, do not spare him, and do not shield him.

9Instead, you must certainly kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people.

10Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

11Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will ever again do such an evil thing.

12If you hear it said about one of the cities that Yahweh your God is giving you to live in

13that some worthless men have gone out from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ gods you have not known,

14then you must inquire, investigate, and question thoroughly. If it is true and the matter is certain that this detestable thing has been done among you,

15you must strike down the inhabitants of that city with the sword. Devote it to destruction, with everything in it and its livestock, with the sword.

16Gather all its plunder into the middle of its public square, and burn the city and all its plunder in the fire as a whole offering to Yahweh your God. It must remain a ruin forever; it must never be rebuilt.

17None of what is devoted to destruction is to cling to your hand, so that Yahweh may turn from his fierce anger, show you mercy, have compassion on you, and multiply you, as he swore to your ancestors,

18if you obey the voice of Yahweh your God, keeping all his commandments that I am giving you today and doing what is right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.