1. Here are the rules and laws you must obey. Be careful to follow them in the land the Lord has given you to take as your own. He's the God of your people who lived long ago. Obey these rules and laws as long as you live in the land.
2. You will soon drive the nations out of it. Completely destroy all of the places where they worship their gods. Destroy them on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.
3. Break down their altars. Smash their sacred stones. Burn up the poles they use to worship the goddess Asherah. Cut down the statues of their gods. Wipe out the names of their gods from those places.
4. You must not worship the Lord your God the way those nations worship their gods.
5. Instead, go to the special place he will choose from among all of your tribes. He will put his Name there. That's where you must go.
6. Take your burnt offerings and sacrifices to that place. Bring your special gifts and a tenth of everything you produce. Take with you what you have promised to give. Bring any other offerings you choose to give. And bring the male animals among your livestock that were born first to their mothers.