Laws of the Assembly

Deuteronomy 23

Moses sets out who may and may not enter the assembly of the Lord, rules for cleanliness in the camp and the treatment of a runaway servant, and instructions concerning vows and eating from a neighbor's field or vineyard without carrying any away.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonA man shall not take his father’s wife, nor uncover his father’s skirt.

BrentonA man shall not take his father's wife, and shall not uncover his father's skirt.

GreekΟὐ λήψεται ἄνθρωπος τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἀποκαλύψει συγκάλυμμα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ.

KJVA man shall not take his father’s wife, nor discover his father’s skirt.

JPSA man shall not take his father’s wife, and shall not uncover his father’s skirt.

Thomson—

BrentonHe that is fractured or mutilated in his private parts shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord.

GreekΟὐκ εἰσελεύσεται θλαδίας, οὐδὲ ἀποκεκομμένος, εἰς ἐκκλησίαν Κυρίου.

KJVHe that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

JPSHe that is crushed or maimed in his privy parts shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD.

Thomsonnor shall the son of a harlot come into the congregation of the Lord.

BrentonOne born of a harlot shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord.

GreekΟὐκ εἰσελεύσεται ἐκ πόρνης εἰς ἐκκλησίαν Κύριου.

KJVA bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

JPSA bastard shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none of his enter into the assembly of the LORD.

ThomsonAn Amorite, and a Moabite, shall not come into the congregation of the Lord: even to the tenth generation, they shall not come into the congregation of the Lord—nay, even forever;

BrentonThe Ammanite and Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord, even until the tenth generation he shall not enter into the assembly of the Lord, even for ever:

GreekΟὐκ εἰσελεύσεται Ἀμμανίτης καὶ Μωαβίτης εἰς ἐκκλησίαν Κυρίου, καὶ ἕως δεκάτης γενεᾶς οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς ἐκκλησίαν Κυρίου, καὶ ἕως εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα·

KJVAn Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:

JPSAn Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation shall none of them enter into the assembly of the LORD for ever;

Thomsonbecause they did not meet you with bread and water on the way, when you were coming out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee, Balaam, son of Beor, of Mesopotamia, to curse thee; but the Lord thy God would not hearken to Balaam.

Brentonbecause they met you not with bread and water by the way, when ye went out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Mesopotamia to curse thee.

Greekπαρὰ τὸ μὴ συναντῆσαι αὐτοὺς ὑμῖν μετὰ ἄρτων καὶ ὕδατος ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, ἐκπορευομένων ὑμῶν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ὅτι ἐμισθώσαντο ἐπὶ σὲ τὸν Βαλαὰμ υἱὸν Βεὼρ ἐκ τῆς Μεσοποταμίας καταρᾶσθαί σε.

KJVBecause they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

JPSbecause they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Aram-naharaim, to curse thee.

ThomsonNay, the Lord thy God turned the curses into a blessing, because the Lord thy God loved thee.

BrentonBut the Lord thy God would not hearken to Balaam; and the Lord thy God changed the curses into blessings, because the Lord thy God loved thee.

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου εἰσακοῦσαι τοῦ Βαλαάμ· καὶ μετέστρεψε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου τὰς κατάρας εἰς εὐλογίαν, ὅτι ἠγάπησέ σε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου.

KJVNevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

JPSNevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

ThomsonThou shalt not propose terms of peace with them, nor what is conducive to their welfare, all thy days, forever.

BrentonThou shalt not speak peaceably or profitably to them all thy days for ever.

GreekΟὐ προσαγορεύσεις εἰρηνικὰ αὐτοῖς καὶ συμφέροντα αὐτοῖς πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVThou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

JPSThou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

ThomsonThou shalt not abominate an Idumean; for he is thy brother. Thou shalt not hold in abhorrence an Egyptian, because thou wast a sojourner in his land.

BrentonThou shalt not abhor an Edomite, because he is thy brother; thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because thou wast a stranger in his land.

GreekΟὐ βδελύξῃ Ἰδουμαῖον, ὅτι ἀδελφός σού ἐστίν· οὐ βδελύξῃ Αἰγύπτιον, ὅτι πάροικος ἐγένου ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ.

KJVThou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

JPSThou shalt not abhor an Edomite, for he is thy brother; thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because thou wast a stranger in his land.

ThomsonIf either of these have sons, they may come into the congregation of the Lord, in the third generation.

BrentonIf sons be born to them, in the third generation they shall enter into the assembly of the Lord.

GreekΥἱοὶ ἐὰν γεννηθῶσιν αὐτοῖς, γενεᾷ τρίτῃ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς ἐκκλησίαν Κυρίου.

KJVThe children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.

JPSThe children of the third generation that are born unto them may enter into the assembly of the LORD.

ThomsonWhen thou goest out to encamp against thine enemies, thou shalt be on thy guard against every evil thing.

BrentonAnd if thou shouldest go forth to engage with thine enemies, then thou shalt keep thee from every wicked thing.

GreekἘὰν δὲ ἐξέλθῃς παρεμβαλεῖν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, καὶ φυλάξῃ ἀπὸ παντὸς ῥήματος πονηροῦ.

KJVWhen the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.

JPSWhen thou goest forth in camp against thine enemies, then thou shalt keep thee from every evil thing.

ThomsonIf there be with thee a man who is unclean, by reason of any nightly pollution, he shall go out of the camp, or he shall not come into the camp;

BrentonIf there should be in thee a man who is not clean by reason of his issue by night, then he shall go forth out of the camp, and he shall not enter into the camp.

GreekἘὰν ἠ· ἐν σοὶ ἄνθρωπος ὃς οὐκ ἔσται καθαρὸς ἐκ ῥύσεως αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς, καὶ ἐξελεύσεται ἔξω τῆν παρεμβολῆς, καὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν.

KJVIf there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:

JPSIf there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of that which chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp.

Thomsonbut towards evening he shall wash his body with water, and when the sun is set, he may come into the camp.

BrentonAnd it shall come to pass toward evening he shall wash his body with water, and when the sun has gone down, he shall go into the camp.

GreekΚαὶ ἔσται τὸ πρὸς ἐσπέραν λούσεται τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ὕδατι, καὶ δεδυκότος ἡλίου εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν.

KJVBut it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

JPSBut it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall bathe himself in water; and when the sun is down, he may come within the camp.

ThomsonMoreover thou shalt have a place without the camp, and thou shalt go out thither.

BrentonAnd thou shalt have a place outside of the camp, and thou shalt go out thither,

GreekΚαὶ τόπος ἔσται σοι ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς, καὶ ἐξελεύσῃ ἐκεῖ ἔξω.

KJVThou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:

JPSThou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad.

ThomsonAnd thou shalt have in thy girdle a spaddle, and when thou hast eased thyself abroad, thou shalt dig with it, and cover thy uncleanness.

Brentonand thou shalt have a trowel on thy girdle; and it shall come to pass when thou wouldest relieve thyself abroad, that thou shalt dig with it, and shalt bring back the earth and cover thy nuisance.

GreekΚαὶ πάσσαλος ἔσται σοι ἐπὶ τῆς ζώνης σου· καὶ ἔσται ὅταν διακαθιζάνῃς ἔξω, καὶ ὀρύξεις ἐν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐπαγαγὼν καλύψεις τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην σου·

KJVAnd thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:

JPSAnd thou shalt have a paddle among thy weapons; and it shall be, when thou sittest down abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee.

ThomsonBecause the Lord thy God walketh about in thy camp, to save thee, and subdue thine enemy before thee, therefore thy camp must be holy. There must be nothing unseemly seen with thee, that He may not turn away from thee.

BrentonBecause the Lord thy God walks in thy camp to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemy before thy face; and thy camp shall be holy, and there shall not appear in thee a disgraceful thing, and so he shall turn away from thee.

GreekὍτι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ἐμπεριπατεῖ ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ σου ἐξελέσθαι σε καὶ παραδοῦναι τὸν ἐχθρόν σου πρὸ προσώπου σου· καὶ ἔσται ἡ παρεμβολή σου ἁγία, καὶ οὐκ ὀφθήσεται ἐν σοὶ ἀσχημοσύνη πράγματος, καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀπὸ σοῦ.

KJVFor the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

JPSFor the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy; that He see no unseemly thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

ThomsonThou shalt not deliver up to his master, a servant who hath fled to thee, from his master.

BrentonThou shalt not deliver a servant to his master, who coming from his master attaches himself to thee.

GreekΟὐ παραδώσεις παῖδα τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ, ὃς προστέθειταί σοι παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ.

KJVThou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

JPSThou shalt not deliver unto his master a bondman that is escaped from his master unto thee;

ThomsonHe shall dwell among you wherever he pleaseth. Thou shalt not afflict him.

BrentonHe shall dwell with thee, he shall dwell among you where he shall please; thou shalt not afflict him.

GreekΜετὰ σοῦ κατοικήσει, ἐν ὑμῖν κατοικήσει οὗ ἂν ἀρέσῃ αὐτῷ· οὐ θλίψεις αὐτόν.

KJVHe shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.

JPShe shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in the place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it liketh him best; thou shalt not wrong him.

ThomsonThere shall not be a harlot of the daughters of Israel, nor a whoremonger of the sons of Israel. There shall not be a prostitute among the daughters of Israel, nor shall any of the Israelites be a votary of prostitution.

BrentonThere shall not be a harlot of the daughters of Israel, and there shall not be a fornicator of the sons of Israel; there shall not be an idolatress of the daughters of Israel, and there shall not be an initiated person of the sons of Israel.

GreekΟὐκ ἔσται πόρνη ἀπὸ θυγατέρων Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται πορνεύων ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· οὐκ ἔσται τελεσφόρος ἀπὸ θυγατέρων Ἰσραήλ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται τελισκόμενος ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVThere shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

JPSThere shall be no harlot of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

ThomsonThou shalt not bring the hire of an harlot, nor the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord, for any vow, for both are an abomination to the Lord thy God.

BrentonThou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, nor the price of a dog into the house of the Lord thy God, for any vow; because even both are an abomination to the Lord thy God.

GreekΟὐ προσοίσεις μίσθωμα πόρνης, οὐδὲ ἄλλαγμα κυνὸς εἰς τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου πρὸς πᾶσαν εὐχὴν, ὅτι βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου ἐστὶ καὶ ἀμφότερα.

KJVThou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

JPSThou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow; for even both these are an abomination unto the LORD thy God. .

ThomsonThou shalt not take interest of thy brother, for money, nor for victuals, nor for any thing which thou mayst lend him.

BrentonThou shalt not lend to thy brother on usury of silver, or usury of meat, or usury of any thing which thou mayest lend out.

GreekΟὐκ ἐκτοκιεῖς τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου τόκον ἀργυρίου, καὶ τόκον βρωμάτων, καὶ τοκον παντὸς πράγματος, οὗ ἐὰν ἐκδανίσῃς.

KJVThou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

JPSThou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother: interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of any thing that is lent upon interest.

ThomsonTo a stranger thou mayst lend on interest; but to thy brother thou shalt not lend on interest; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all thy works, in the land to which thou art going to take possession of it.

BrentonThou mayest lend on usury to a stranger, but to thy brother thou shalt not lend on usury; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all thy works upon the land, into which thou art entering to inherit it.

GreekΤῷ ἀλλοτρίῳ ἐκτοκιεῖς, τῷ δὲ ἀδελφῷ σου οὐκ ἐκτοκιεῖς, ἵνα εὐλογήσῃ σε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις σου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, εἰς ἣν εἰσπορεύῃ ἐκεῖ κληρονομῆσαι αὐτήν.

KJVUnto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

JPSUnto a foreigner thou mayest lend upon interest; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon interest; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou puttest thy hand unto, in the land whither thou goest in to possess it.

ThomsonIf thou vowest a vow to the Lord thy God, thou shalt not delay to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be a sin in thee.

BrentonAnd if thou wilt vow a vow to the Lord thy God, thou shalt not delay to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee, and otherwise it shall be sin in thee.

GreekἘὰν δὲ εὔξῃ εὐχὴν Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου, οὐ χρονιεῖς ἀποδοῦναι αὐτὴν, ὅτι ἐκζητῶν ἐκζητήσει Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου παρὰ σοῦ, καὶ ἔσται ἐν σοὶ ἁμαρτία.

KJVWhen thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

JPSWhen thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it; for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it will be sin in thee.

ThomsonIf thou dost not choose to make a vow, it is no sin in thee.

BrentonBut if thou shouldest be unwilling to vow, it is not sin in thee.

GreekἘὰν δὲ μὴ θέλῃς εὔξασθαι, οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν σοὶ ἁμαρτία.

KJVBut if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

JPSBut if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

ThomsonThou must be careful of what have proceeded from thy lips; and offer, in the manner thou hast vowed to the Lord thy God, the gift which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

BrentonThou shalt observe the words that proceed from between thy lips; and as thou hast vowed a gift to the Lord God, so shalt thou do that which thou hast spoken with thy mouth.

GreekΤὰ ἐκπορευόμενα διὰ τῶν χειλέων σου φυλάξῃ, καὶ ποιήσεις ὃν τρόπον ηὔξω Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ δόμα, ὃ ἐλάλησας τῷ στόματί σου.

KJVThat which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

JPSThat which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt observe and do; according as thou hast vowed freely unto the LORD thy God, even that which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

ThomsonIf thou comest into thy neighbour’s field of standing corn, thou mayst gather ears with thy hands; but thou shalt not put a sickle into thy neighbour’s field of standing grain.

BrentonAnd if thou shouldest go into the corn field of thy neighbour, then thou mayest gather the ears with thy hands; but thou shalt not put the sickle to thy neighbour's corn.

GreekἘὰν δὲ εἰσέλθῃς εἰς ἀμητὸν τοῦ πλησίον σου, καὶ συλλέξῃς ἐν ταῖς χερσί σου στάχυς, καὶ δρέπανον οὐ μὴ ἐπιβάλῃς ἐπʼ ἀμητὸν τοῦ πλησίον σου.

KJVWhen thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

JPSWhen thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes until thou have enough at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

ThomsonAnd if thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, thou mayst eat grapes, till thy soul is satisfied, but thou shalt not put any into a vessel.

BrentonAnd if thou shouldest go into the vineyard of thy neighbour, thou shalt eat grapes sufficient to satisfy thy desire; but thou mayest not put them into a vessel.

GreekἘὰν δὲ εἰσέλθῃς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα τοῦ πλησίον σου, φαγῇ σταφυλὴν, ὅσον ψυχήν σου ἐμπλησθῆναι, εἰς δὲ ἄγγος οὐκ ἐμβάλῃς.

KJVWhen thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.

JPSWhen thou comest into thy neighbour’s standing corn, then thou mayest pluck ears with thy hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.