Dabarym (Deuteronomy) — 17

1 Never sacrifice sick or defective cattle, sheep, or goats to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH, for He detests such gifts.

2 “When you begin living in the towns 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH has given you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH and violate the covenant. 

3 For instance, they might serve other nations pagan deities or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars the forces of Shamaym which I have not command you. 

4 When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Yashar'AL, 

5 then the man or woman who has committed such an evil act must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death. 

6 But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses. 

7 The witnesses must throw the first stones, and then all the people may join in. In this way, you will purge the evil from among you.

8 “Suppose a case arises in a local court that is too hard for you to decide for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder or only of manslaughter, or a difficult lawsuit, or a case involving different kinds of assault. Take such legal cases to the place 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH will choose, 

9 and present them to the Lauym and Kuhanym (priests) or the judge on duty at that time. They will hear the case and declare the verdict. 

10 You must carry out the verdict they announce and the sentence they prescribe at the place 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH chooses. You must do exactly what they say. 

11 After they have interpreted the law and declared their verdict, the sentence they impose must be fully executed; do not modify it in any way. 

12 Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the Kuhan who represents 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH must die. In this way you will purge the evil from Yashar'AL. 

13 Then everyone else will hear about it and be afraid to act so arrogantly.

Guidelines for a King

14 “You are about to enter the land 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH is giving you. When you take it over and settle there, you may think, ‘We should select a king to rule over us like the other nations around us.’ 

15 If this happens, be sure to select as king the man 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH chooses. You must appoint a fellow Yasharalym; he shall not be a foreigner.

16 “The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or send his people to Mitzraym to buy horses, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has told you, ‘You must never return to Mitzraym.’ 

17 The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself.

18 “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Lauym and the Kuhanym (priests). 

19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH his 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 

20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Yashar'AL.