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Sunday, July 20th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Contemporary English Version

Deuteronomy 12:30

But that's when you must be especially careful not to ask, "How did those nations worship their gods? Shouldn't we worship the Lord in the same way?"

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Company;   Fellowship;   Judgments;   Thompson Chain Reference - Imitation;   Sinful;   Worldliness;   Worldliness-Unworldliness;   The Topic Concordance - Idolatry;   Snares;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God;   Jews, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Idol, Idolatry;   Nations, the;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Heart;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Idolatry;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Idol;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Crimes and Punishments;   Deuteronomy;   Molech, Moloch;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Wisdom of Solomon;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - High places;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chemosh;   Cruel;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I’ll also do the same.’
Hebrew Names Version
take heed to yourself that you not be ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before you; and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
King James Version
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Lexham English Bible
take care so that you are not ensnared into imitating them after their being destroyed from before you, and so that you not enquire concerning their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods, and thus I myself want to do also.'
English Standard Version
take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.'
New Century Version
they will be destroyed for you, but be careful not to be trapped by asking about their gods. Don't say, "How do these nations worship? I will do the same."
New English Translation
After they have been destroyed from your presence, be careful not to be ensnared like they are; do not pursue their gods and say, "How do these nations serve their gods? I will do the same."
Amplified Bible
beware that you are not lured (ensnared) into following them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods, so that I too may do likewise?'
New American Standard Bible
be careful that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from your presence, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?'
Geneva Bible (1587)
Beware, lest thou be taken in a snare after them, after that they be destroied before thee, and lest thou aske after their gods, saying, Howe did these nations serue their gods, that I may doe so likewise?
Legacy Standard Bible
beware lest you be ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and lest you inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?'
Complete Jewish Bible
be careful, after they have been destroyed ahead of you, not to be trapped into following them; so that you inquire after their gods and ask, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I want to do the same.'
Darby Translation
take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared [to follow] after them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Easy-to-Read Version
But be careful that you don't fall into the same trap they did! Don't go to their false gods for help. Don't say to yourself, ‘They worshiped these gods, so I will worship them too.'
George Lamsa Translation
Take heed to yourselves that you may not go astray by following them, after the LORD has destroyed them from before you; and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so I may do likewise.
Good News Translation
After the Lord destroys those nations, make sure that you don't follow their religious practices, because that would be fatal. Don't try to find out how they worship their gods, so that you can worship in the same way.
Literal Translation
take heed to yourself that you not be snared to follow them after they have been destroyed before you; and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? And I shall do so, even I.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
bewarre then, yt thou fall not in the snare after the, whan they are destroyed before the: & that thou axe not after their goddes, & saye: Eue as these nacions haue serued their goddes, so wil I do also.
American Standard Version
take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Bible in Basic English
After their destruction take care that you do not go in their ways, and that you do not give thought to their gods, saying, How did these nations give worship to their gods? I will do as they did.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Beware that thou be not taken in a snare after them, after that they be destroyed before thee, and that thou aske not after their gods, saying: Howe do these nations serue their gods? I wyll do so likewise.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying: 'How used these nations to serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.'
King James Version (1611)
Take heede to thy selfe that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee, and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serue their gods? euen so will I doe likewise.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
take heed to thyself that thou seek not to follow them after they are destroyed before thee, saying, How do these nations act towards their gods? I will do likewise.
English Revised Version
take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Berean Standard Bible
be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, "How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
be thou war lest thou sue hem, aftir that thei ben distried, whanne thou entrist, and thou seke `the cerymonyes of hem, and seie, As these folkis worschipyden her goddis, so and Y schal worschipe.
Young's Literal Translation
take heed to thee, lest thou be snared after them, after their being destroyed out of thy presence, and lest thou enquire about their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods, and I do so -- even I?
Update Bible Version
You be careful not to be ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you; or else you will inquire after their gods, saying, "How do these nations serve their gods? Even so I will do likewise."
Webster's Bible Translation
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
World English Bible
take heed to yourself that you not be ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before you; and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
New King James Version
take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.'
New Living Translation
do not fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.'
New Life Bible
But be careful that you are not fooled into following them, after they are destroyed before you. Do not ask about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods so that I may do the same?'
New Revised Standard
take care that you are not snared into imitating them, after they have been destroyed before you: do not inquire concerning their gods, saying, "How did these nations worship their gods? I also want to do the same."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
take heed to thyself lest thou be thrust after them, after they have been destroyed from before thee, - and lest thou enquire after their gods, saying - In what manner, did these nations serve their gods, that, I too, may do likewise?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Beware lest thou imitate them, after they are destroyed at thy coming in, and lest thou seek after their ceremonies, saying: As these nations have worshipped their gods, so will I also worship.
Revised Standard Version
take heed that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? --that I also may do likewise.'
New American Standard Bible (1995)
beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?'

Contextual Overview

5Soon you will cross the Jordan, and the Lord will help you conquer your enemies and let you live in peace, there in the land he has given you. But after you are settled, life will be different. You must not offer sacrifices just anywhere you want to. Instead, the Lord will choose a place somewhere in Israel where you must go to worship him. All of your sacrifices and offerings must be taken there, including sacrifices to please the Lord and any gift you promise or voluntarily give him. That's where you must also take one tenth of your grain, wine, and olive oil, as well as the first-born of your cattle, sheep, and goats. You and your family and servants will eat your gifts and sacrifices and celebrate there at the place of worship, because the Lord your God has made you successful in everything you have done. And since Levites will not have any land of their own, you must ask some of them to come along and celebrate with you. Sometimes you may want to kill an animal for food and not as a sacrifice. If the Lord has blessed you and given you enough cows or sheep or goats, then you can butcher one of them where you live. You can eat it just like the meat from a deer or gazelle that you kill when you go hunting. And even those people who are unclean and unfit for worship can have some of the meat. But you must not eat the blood of any animal—let the blood drain out on the ground. 20The Lord has promised that later on he will give Israel more land, and some of you may not be able to travel all the way from your homes to the place of worship each time you are hungry for meat. But the Lord will give you cattle, sheep, and goats, and you can butcher any of those animals at home and eat as much as you want. 22 It is the same as eating the meat from a deer or a gazelle that you kill when you go hunting. And in this way, anyone who is unclean and unfit for worship can have some of the meat. 23But don't eat the blood. It is the life of the animal, so let it drain out on the ground before you eat the meat. 25 Do you want the Lord to make you successful? Do you want your children to be successful even after you are gone? Then do what pleases the Lord and don't eat blood. 26All sacrifices and offerings to the Lord must be taken to the place where he chooses to be worshiped. If you offer a sacrifice to please the Lord , all of its meat must be burned on the altar. You can eat the meat from certain kinds of sacrifices, but you must always pour out the animal's blood on the altar. 28 If you obey these laws, you will be doing what the Lord your God says is right and good. Then he will help you and your descendants be successful. 29 Moses said: Israel, as you go into the land and attack the nations that are there, the Lord will get rid of them, and you can have their land. 30 But that's when you must be especially careful not to ask, "How did those nations worship their gods? Shouldn't we worship the Lord in the same way?" 31 No, you should not! The Lord hates the disgusting way those nations worship their gods, because they even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

that thou: Deuteronomy 7:16, Exodus 23:31-33, Leviticus 18:3, Numbers 33:52, Judges 2:2, Judges 2:3, 2 Kings 17:15, Psalms 106:34-38, Ezekiel 20:28

by following: Heb. after

How did: Jeremiah 10:2, Ezekiel 20:32, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:17, 1 Peter 4:3, 1 Peter 4:4

Reciprocal: Exodus 8:26 - we shall Exodus 23:24 - do after Exodus 23:33 - it will surely Leviticus 20:23 - in the manners Deuteronomy 12:4 - General Deuteronomy 20:18 - General 2 Kings 16:10 - saw an altar 2 Kings 17:8 - walked Ezra 9:1 - doing according Psalms 106:37 - they sacrificed Ezekiel 11:12 - but

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Take heed to thyself, that thou be not snared by following them,.... Their examples and customs, and so be drawn into the same idolatrous practices; see Psalms 106:35, after that they be destroyed from before thee; for their idolatries and other sins:

and that thou inquire not after their gods; what they were, their names, forms, and figures:

saying, how did these nations serve their gods? what was the manner of worship they gave them? what rites, customs, and ceremonies did they use in their adoration of them?

even so will I do likewise; or however, if this was not determined on when the inquiries were made, there was danger that this would be the result of them, and therefore the caution is given.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This caution is based upon the notion generally entertained in the ancient pagan world, that each country had its own tutelary deities whom it would be perilous to neglect; compare 1 Kings 20:23; 2 Kings 17:26. Israel was to shun such superstitions as unworthy of the elect people of God.


 
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