13:6 Suppose your own full brother, 1 your son, your daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend should seduce you secretly and encourage you to go and serve other gods 2 that neither you nor your ancestors 3 have previously known, 4 13:7 the gods of the surrounding people (whether near you or far from you, from one end of the earth 5 to the other). 13:8 You must not give in to him or even listen to him; do not feel sympathy for him or spare him or cover up for him.
1 tn Heb “your brother, the son of your mother.” In a polygamous society it was not rare to have half brothers and sisters by way of a common father and different mothers.
2 tn In the Hebrew text these words are in the form of a brief quotation: “entice you secretly saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods.’”
3 tn Heb “fathers” (also in v. 17).
4 tn Heb “which you have not known, you or your fathers.” (cf. KJV, ASV; on “fathers” cf. v. 18).
5 tn Or “land” (so NIV, NCV); the same Hebrew word can be translated “land” or “earth.”