Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version that troublemakers have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods you have not known), New Living Translation that scoundrels among you are leading their fellow citizens astray by saying, ‘Let us go worship other gods’—gods you have not known before. English Standard Version that certain worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known, Berean Standard Bible that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), Berean Literal Bible men, the sons of worthlessness, have gone out from among you and enticed those dwelling in their city, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (that you⁺ have not known), King James Bible Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; New King James Version ‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” ’—which you have not known— New American Standard Bible some worthless men have gone out from among you and have seduced the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let’s go and serve other gods’ (whom you have not known), NASB 1995 some worthless men have gone out from among you and have seduced the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods ‘ (whom you have not known), NASB 1977 some worthless men have gone out from among you and have seduced the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom you have not known), Legacy Standard Bible some vile men have gone out from among you and have driven the inhabitants of their city astray, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom you have not known), Amplified Bible that some worthless and evil men have gone out from among you and have tempted the inhabitants of their city [to sin], saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom you have not known), Berean Annotated Bible that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods (which you⁺ have not known), Christian Standard Bible that wicked men have sprung up among you, led the inhabitants of their city astray, and said, ‘Let’s go and worship other gods,’ which you have not known, Holman Christian Standard Bible that wicked men have sprung up among you, led the inhabitants of their city astray, and said, ‘Let us go and worship other gods,’ which you have not known, American Standard Version Certain base fellows are gone out from the midst of thee, and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; Contemporary English Version You may hear that some worthless people have talked everyone there into worshiping other gods, even though these gods had never done anything for them. English Revised Version Certain base fellows are gone out from the midst of thee, and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; GOD'S WORD® Translation have been led away from the LORD your God by worthless people. You may hear that these people have been saying, "Let's worship other gods." (Those gods may be gods you've never heard of.) Good News Translation that some worthless people of your nation have misled the people of their town to worship gods that you have never worshiped before. International Standard Version that worthless men have come from among you to entice those who live in the towns. They may say, 'Let's go and serve other gods that you haven't known.' NET Bible some evil people have departed from among you to entice the inhabitants of their cities, saying, "Let's go and serve other gods" (whom you have not known before). New Heart English Bible Certain base fellows are gone out from the midst of you, and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods," which you have not known; Webster's Bible Translation Certain men, the children of Belial, have gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblethat wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), World English Bible certain wicked fellows have gone out from among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods,” which you have not known, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMen, sons of worthlessness, have gone out of your midst, and they force away the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods (which you have not known), Berean Literal Bible men, the sons of worthlessness, have gone out from among you and enticed those dwelling in their city, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (that you⁺ have not known), Young's Literal Translation Men, sons of worthlessness, have gone out of thy midst, and they force away the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known -- Smith's Literal Translation Men, sons of Belial went forth from the midst of thee, and they will thrust away the inhabitants of their city, saying, We will go and serve other gods which ye knew not; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleChildren of Belial are gone out of the midst of thee, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, and have said: Let us go, and serve strange gods which you know not: Catholic Public Domain Version ‘The sons of Belial have departed from your midst, and they have persuaded the inhabitants of their city, and they have said: “Let us go, and serve strange gods,” ’ which you have not known: New American Bible that certain scoundrels have sprung up in your midst and have led astray the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Come, let us serve other gods,” whom you have not known, New Revised Standard Version that scoundrels from among you have gone out and led the inhabitants of the town astray, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods,” whom you have not known, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleCertain wicked men have gone out from among you, and have led astray the inhabitants of their cities saying, Let us go and serve other gods, whom you have not known; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Men, sons of sin, went out from within you and they have led astray the people of their city and they said, ‘Let us go; let us serve other gods that you do not know’; OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Certain base fellows are gone out from the midst of thee, and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying: Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known'; Brenton Septuagint Translation Evil men have gone out from you, and have caused all the inhabitants of their land to fall away, saying, Let us go and worship other gods, whom ye knew not, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Idolatrous Cities to Be Destroyed12If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said 13that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), 14then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,… Cross References that wicked men have arisen from among you Acts 20:30 Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. 2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. and have led the people of their city astray, 2 Chronicles 33:9 So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. Jeremiah 23:13-14 “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. / And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” 2 Kings 21:9 But the people did not listen and Manasseh led them astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” Exodus 32:1-8 Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!” / So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” / Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. … 1 Kings 12:28-30 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. Joshua 24:16 The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! (which you have not known), Jeremiah 7:9 Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, Jeremiah 44:3 because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew. Deuteronomy 32:17 They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. Exodus 23:13 Pay close attention to everything I have said to you. You must not invoke the names of other gods; they must not be heard on your lips. Joshua 23:16 If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.” Judges 2:12 Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, 1 Kings 9:6-9 But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ … Treasury of Scripture Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known; the children. Judges 19:22 Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him. Judges 20:13 Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel: 1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. are gone Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. 2 Kings 17:21 For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. Let us Deuteronomy 13:2,6 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; … Jump to Previous Arisen Astray Base Belial Children City Drawn Inhabitants Led Midst Right Seduced Serve Turning Way Wicked Withdrawn Worthless WorthlessnessJump to Next Arisen Astray Base Belial Children City Drawn Inhabitants Led Midst Right Seduced Serve Turning Way Wicked Withdrawn Worthless WorthlessnessDeuteronomy 13 1. Enticers to idolatry6. however near to oneself 9. are to be stoned to death 12. Idolatrous cities are not to be spared that wicked men have arisen from among you This phrase highlights the internal threat to the community, emphasizing that the danger comes from within rather than from external enemies. In the context of ancient Israel, this reflects the constant vigilance required to maintain covenant faithfulness. The term "wicked men" suggests those who act contrary to God's laws, reminiscent of the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16). This internal threat is a recurring theme in Scripture, warning against false prophets and teachers (2 Peter 2:1). and have led the people of their city astray saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known) Persons / Places / Events 1. Wicked MenThese are individuals within the Israelite community who are leading others astray by promoting the worship of foreign gods. 2. The People of the Town The community being influenced by the wicked men, potentially leading to idolatry and turning away from God. 3. Other Gods Refers to the deities of surrounding nations, which the Israelites were forbidden to worship. 4. The Town Represents any community within Israel that might be tempted to follow false teachings and abandon their covenant with God. 5. Moses The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws and warnings to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Teaching Points Guard Against False TeachingsJust as the Israelites were warned about wicked men, Christians today must be vigilant against teachings that lead away from the truth of the Gospel. Community Responsibility The passage highlights the importance of community vigilance. Believers should hold each other accountable and encourage faithfulness to God. Exclusive Worship God demands exclusive worship. Believers must examine their lives for anything that might take precedence over their relationship with God. Discernment and Wisdom Christians are called to discernment, using Scripture as the standard to evaluate teachings and practices. Consequences of Idolatry The passage serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of idolatry, both spiritually and communally. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 13:13?2. How should believers respond to "wicked men" leading others to idolatry? 3. What does Deuteronomy 13:13 teach about community responsibility in faithfulness? 4. How does Deuteronomy 13:13 connect with the First Commandment? 5. What steps can we take to guard against idolatry today? 6. How can church leaders address modern parallels to "wicked men" in Deuteronomy 13:13? 7. How does Deuteronomy 13:13 address the issue of idolatry in ancient Israelite society? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Deuteronomy 13:13? 9. How should modern believers interpret the command to "put to death" in Deuteronomy 13:13? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 13? 11. Does the harsh response prescribed in Deuteronomy 13 conflict with the concept of free will versus strict divine command? 12. In 2 Corinthians 6:15, is the reference to Belial rooted in any historical or archaeological evidence, or does it rely purely on religious tradition? 13. Why does Galatians 3:13 claim the curse is removed by Christ, when Deuteronomy 21:23 still applies the curse to anyone hanged on a tree? 14. Did God order genocide? (Exodus 20:13 vs. Deuteronomy 7:2) What Does Deuteronomy 13:13 Mean Wicked men have arisen“Wicked men have arisen” (Deuteronomy 13:13) alerts us that evil doesn’t merely drift into a community; it shows up embodied in people who make deliberate choices. • Scripture paints such people as purposeful rebels—see Jude 4, where certain men “have crept in unnoticed … ungodly people who turn the grace of our God into sensuality.” • Their wickedness is first moral, then doctrinal. Proverbs 4:16 says, “For they cannot sleep unless they do evil.” • The verse reminds us to stay watchful; Paul echoed this in 2 Timothy 3:13, warning that “evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” From among you The phrase highlights an internal threat: danger emerges inside the covenant community, not just outside it. • Acts 20:29-30 pictures Paul in tears, cautioning the Ephesian elders that “from among your own number, men will arise and distort the truth.” • 1 John 2:19 clarifies that such apostates “went out from us, but they did not belong to us.” • The lesson is personal: examine relationships, teaching platforms, and even our own hearts for creeping compromise. Have led the people of their city astray False influence rarely stays private; it spreads through families, friend-groups, churches, whole towns. • Jesus warned, “Many false prophets will arise and mislead many” (Matthew 24:11). • Galatians 5:9 adds, “A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough,” showing how rapidly error infects. • Notice the civic scale: the verse speaks of “their city,” implying that entire cultures can be redirected when leadership capitulates to error. Saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known) Here is the core: the invitation to idolatry. • “Other gods” violates the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). • Jeremiah 2:11 asks, “Has a nation ever exchanged its gods? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.” • Deuteronomy emphasizes “which you have not known,” underscoring that these gods have no covenant history with Israel; they are newcomers promising life but delivering bondage. • 1 Corinthians 10:14 therefore urges, “Flee from idolatry,” linking ancient Israel’s test to every believer today. summary Deuteronomy 13:13 is a sober warning: internal rebels can rise, entice communities, and lure them into false worship. Scripture calls us to vigilance, doctrinal clarity, and wholehearted loyalty to the one true God who redeemed us. (13) Children of Belial.--The very same expression is used in Judges 20:13 : "Deliver us the men, the children of Belial, that are among you." This is the first place where the expression "sons of Belial" occurs, and Judges 19:22 is the second. It is generally explained by modern scholars as "worthlessness." Rashi curiously makes it "destroyers of the yoke" (of Jehovah).Verse 13. - Men, the children of Belial; the sons of worthlessness, utterly worthless persons. Beli ya'al (a compound of בְלִי, not, and עָל, to ascend, to have worth, to profit) means primarily that which is low, hence worthlessness, naughtiness, wickedness. In Deuteronomy 15:9, Belial is rendered in the Authorized Version as an adjective, "wicked," and also in Nehemiah 1:11. In Psalm 18:4, it is rendered by "ungodly men." Most commonly it is treated as a proper name. But in all places the proper meaning of the word might be retained. The Hebrews described an object, of which any quality was predominantly characteristic, as the son of that quality. Are gone out from among you; have gone forth from the midst of you, i.e. have risen up among yourselves. Withdraw. The verb here is the same as that rendered by "thrust," in vers. 5 and 10. It conveys the idea of drawing away with some degree of force, not mere easy seduction, but impulsion by strong persuasion.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew that wickedבְלִיַּ֙עַל֙ (ḇə·lî·ya·‘al) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1100: Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness men אֲנָשִׁ֤ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person have arisen יָצְא֞וּ (yā·ṣə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim from among you מִקִּרְבֶּ֔ךָ (miq·qir·be·ḵā) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center and led the people יֹשְׁבֵ֥י (yō·šə·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry of their city עִירָ֖ם (‘î·rām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5892: Excitement astray, וַיַּדִּ֛יחוּ (way·yad·dî·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5080: To impel, thrust, banish saying, לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “Let us go נֵלְכָ֗ה (nê·lə·ḵāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk and serve וְנַעַבְדָ֛ה (wə·na·‘aḇ·ḏāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave other אֲחֵרִ֖ים (’ă·ḥê·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other gods” אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative (which אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you have not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no known), יְדַעְתֶּֽם׃ (yə·ḏa‘·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 3045: To know Links Deuteronomy 13:13 NIVDeuteronomy 13:13 NLT Deuteronomy 13:13 ESV Deuteronomy 13:13 NASB Deuteronomy 13:13 KJV Deuteronomy 13:13 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 13:13 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 13:13 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 13:13 French Bible Deuteronomy 13:13 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 13:13 Certain base fellows are gone out (Deut. 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