Deuteronomy 13

How he people of God where to demean themselves towards the false prophets who should seek to turn them away from the true God verse 1 &c. as also towards others even their nearest and best friends that should entice them to idolatry 6. Item towards a city that was fallen off 12.

1. When a prophet [understand a false prophet who falsely boasted of divine vision in relations] or dreamer of dreams [falsely boasting of divine dreams compare Numbers 12:6] shall arise in the midst of thee a token or a wonder [that is utter a token or a wonder foretelling that it shall come to pass so is the word giving also taken above chapter 11.29 and 1 Kings 13:5.]

2. And that token or that wonder come to pass [others although that token &c.] which he had spoken unto thee saying let us follow other Gods [Heb. Walk after other Gods so verse 4] which thou hast not known and serve them.

3. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of the prophet or unto that dreamer of dreams for the Lord your God tempeth you [see above chapter 8 on verse 2 ,7] to know whether ye love the Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4. Ye shall follow the Lord your God and fear him and ye shall keep his commandments and be obedient unto his voice and serve him and cleave unto him.

5. And that prophet or dreamer of dreams shall be put to death [compare below chapter 18.20Jeremiah 14.15] for he Hath spoken [that taught advised acted] for a back-sliding against the Lord your God which brought ye forth out of the land of Egypt and received you out of the house of bondage to drive thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in it so shalt thou put the evil away out of the midst of thee [others the evil one or wicked one compare below chapter 22.21,23,24, and 1Corinthians 5.13.]

6. When thy brother the son of thy mother [who by the law of nature and the blood of nearer to thee then the other Israelites are who also in common respect of the common descent from Jacob and are called thy brethren.]or thy son or thy daughter the wife of thy bosom [that is that lieth in the bosom see Micah 7:5 so on the contrary the right husband is called the husband of her that is the wives bosom below chapter 28.56 others the wife of the bosom that is the that is most dear unto thee] or thine friend who is as thine own soul [that is whom thou so lovest as thine own person as thou lovest thine own self] entice thee secretly saying let us go and serve other God which hast not thou known nor thy father.

7. Of the gods of the nations that are round about ye nigh unto thee or far off from thee from the one end of the earth unto the other end of the earth.

8. Then thou shalt consent unto him nor hearken unto him nor shall thine eye spare him neither shalt thine pity him nor conceal him.

9. But thou shalt surely kill him [Heb. Killing thou shalt kill him that is thou shalt not neglect to kill him] thine hand shall be first against him [Heb. Thine hand shall be in the beginning against him as having been the accuser and witness at the judgments seat according to the law below chapter 17.7 compare Acts 7:58.] to put him to death and afterwards the hand of all the people.

10. And thou shalt stone him with stones that he die for he had sort to drive thee away from the Lord thy God that brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage.

11. That all Israel hear and fear and not proceed to do according to this wicked crime [Heb. Matter thing word so below chapter 17.5] in the midst of thee.

12. When thou shalt hear far from one of the cities which the LORD thy God gives thee, to dwell there:

13. There be certain man children of Belial [others sons of Belial the Hebrew word Belijaal signifieth as much in our language as wicked wretched varlet or one without a yoake that is without a loose or licentious person that will not bow under any discipline or law see judges 19.2 1Samuel 1.16 and 1.12 and 10.27 and 15.17 2 Samuel 16:7 and 20.1 and 22.5 1 Kings 21:10 2 Chronicles 13:7 Psalms 41:9 Proverbs 19:28 Nahum 1:11 ,15 this name is also given to the devil 2Corithians 6.15 compare also below chapter 25 on verse2 and 2 Samuel 3:34] gone forth out of the midst of thee and having put on stirring up the inhabitants of their city saying let us go and serve other Gods which ye have not known.

14. Then shalt thou examine and search and make diligent enquiry after and behold it is a truth and thing is sure such an abomination hath been committed in the midst of thee.

15. Then thou shalt utterly smite [Heb. Smiting smite] the inhabitants of that city with the sword [Heb. That the edge of the sword and so in the sequel] banning it [see above chapter 2 on verse 34] and all that is therein and also the beast thereof with the edge of the sword.

16. And thou salt gather all the spoil into the midst of the street thereof and utterly burn the city and all the spoil thereof with fire for the Lord thy God it shall be an heap forever[Heb. And heap of eternity that is it shall forever lie on a heap of stones] it shall not be built again.

17. Also they shall cleave not of the banned thing [Heb. Of the ban] to thine hand [compare above chapter 7.25, 26] that the Lord may turn from the heat of his anger and shew mercy unto thee and have compassion and multiply thee according as he swear unto the fathers.

18. When thou shalt be obedient unto the voice of the Lord thy God to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day to do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord thy God [that is that which the Lord knoweth and judgeth to be right and good consequently pleaseth him well.]