Definition: [Certain] men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 13:13. It’s a really important passage about obedience and staying true to God. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is telling the Israelites (and us!) that some people who were previously part of their community – specifically, the children of Belial – have left and are now serving other gods. They’ve taken refuge in a city and are not obeying God's laws anymore. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Certain men…” : This means it wasn’t just any people who left. It was a specific group of people, identified as the children of Belial. “…the children of Belial…” : Belial was a really important person in ancient Israelite history – he was a shepherd and a leader who was exiled by God. This verse refers to those descendants from him . “…are gone out from among you…” : They have left the community, leaving behind their homes and lives. "...and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city…” : They’ve taken refuge in a particular city (we don't know exactly which one). "...saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;" : This is the core of the message. They’re saying, “We’ve chosen to worship other gods instead of worshipping you and God.” They’re deliberately choosing a different path that doesn’t align with God's laws. What does it mean for us today? This verse serves as a reminder of several important things: Don’t stray from the path: It tells us to stay obedient to God and his commandments. It warns against idolatry – worshipping anything other than God. God's Watchful Eye: It shows that God is aware of our choices and intentions, and that He will hold us accountable for what we do. The Importance of Obedience: Staying true to God’s laws is crucial for a righteous life. In short, Deuteronomy 13:13 warns against disobedience and encourages faithfulness to God's word. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of the name "Belial"? Discuss the consequences of disobeying God’s laws?