Deuteronomy 13:12-18 - Punishment Of Community Idolatry

¹² If you hear in one of the cities Jehovah has given you, anyone saying that ¹³ some worthless men have gone out from among you and have mislead the inhabitants of their city, saying: Let us go and serve other gods you have not known. ¹⁴ Investigate and search out and inquire thoroughly. If it is true and the matter established that this abomination has been done among you, ¹⁵ strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying it and all that is in it and its cattle with the edge of the sword. ¹⁶ Gather all its treasure into the middle of its open square and burn the city and all its treasure with fire as a whole burnt offering to Jehovah your God. It shall be a ruin forever. It shall never be rebuilt. ¹⁷ Do not take anything that is put under ban. If you comply (obey), Jehovah may turn from his burning anger and show mercy to you. He may have compassion on you and make you increase, just as he swore to your fathers. ¹⁸ Listen to the voice of Jehovah your God. Obey all his commandments that I am commanding you today. Do what is right in the sight of Jehovah your God.