12 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,
12 If you hear it said about one of the towns the Lord your God is giving you to live in
12 "If you hear in one of your cities, which the Lord your God is giving you to dwell there,
12 When word comes in from one of your cities that God, your God, is giving you to live in,
12 "If you hear someone in one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell in, saying,
12 "When you begin living in the towns the Lord your God is giving you, you may hear
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:12
Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:12-18
(Read Deuteronomy 13:12-18)
Here is the case of a city revolting from the God of Israel, and serving other gods. The crime is supposed to be committed by one of the cities of Israel. Even when they were ordered to preserve their religion by force, yet they were not allowed to bring others to it by fire and sword. Spiritual judgments under the Christian dispensation are more terrible than the execution of criminals; we have not less cause than the Israelites had, to fear the Divine wrath. Let us then fear the spiritual idolatry of covetousness, and the love of worldly pleasure; and be careful not to countenance them in our families, by our example or by the education of our children. May the Lord write his law and truth in our hearts, there set up his throne, and shed abroad his love!