²⁶ But you must keep my decrees and my laws.^(A) The native-born and the foreigners residing among you must not do any of these detestable things,

²⁷ for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled.

³⁰ Keep my requirements^(A) and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God.^(B)’”

²⁹ The Lord your God will cut off^(A) before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land,^(B)

³⁰ and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared^(A) by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.”^(B)

¹⁶ However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.^{(A) 17} Completely destroy^[a] them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. ¹⁸ Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods,^(B) and you will sin^(C) against the Lord your God.