1. One of your people, claiming to be a prophet or to have prophetic dreams, may predict a miraculous sign or an amazing thing.
2. What he predicts may even take place. But don’t listen to that prophet or dreamer if he says, “Let’s worship and serve other gods.” (Those gods may be gods you’ve never heard of.)
3. The Lord your God is testing you to find out if you really love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
4. Worship the Lord your God, fear him, obey his commands, listen to what he says, serve him, and be loyal to him.
5. That prophet or dreamer must be put to death because he preached rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and freed you from slavery. He was trying to lead you away from following the directions the Lord your God gave you. You must get rid of this evil.
6. Your own brother, son, or daughter, the wife you love, or your best friend may secretly tempt you, saying, “Let’s go worship other gods.” (Those gods may be gods that you and your ancestors never knew.
7. They may be the gods of the people around you, who live near or far, from one end of the land to the other.)