Leviticus

On Sexual Relations

Introductory Parentheses

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them: I am the Lord, your God.

You must not engage in the practices observed in the land of Egypt, where you previously lived, nor should you adopt the practices found in the land of Canaan, where I am leading you; you must not follow their customs.

Instead, you will follow my practices and observe my ordinances; I am the Lord your God.

Observe my practices and ordinances, for those who keep them will find life; I am the Lord.

Legal Code

None of you shall engage in sexual intercourse with a blood relative; I am the Lord.

Do not have intercourse with your father or your mother; she is your mother; do not have intercourse with her.

Do not have intercourse with your father’s wife; respect your father.

Do not engage in sexual relations with your sister or your stepsister, whether raised in the same household or elsewhere.

Do not engage in sexual relations with your granddaughter; that would bring you dishonor.

Do not have intercourse with a half-sister; she, too, is your sister.

Do not have intercourse with an aunt, whether she is your father’s sister

or your mother’s sister.

Do not have intercourse with your uncle’s wife; she is also your aunt.

Do not engage in intercourse with your daughter-in-law

or with your brother’s wife.

Do not engage in intercourse with both a woman and her daughter or granddaughter; they are blood relatives; this is wickedness.

While your wife is alive, do not take her sister as a wife to avoid making her jealous.

Do not engage in intercourse with a woman during her monthly period.

Do not engage in intercourse with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.

Do not sacrifice any of your children to Molech, and do not profane the name of your God; I am the Lord.

Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; it is an abomination.

Also, do not engage in sexual relations with an animal; that is infamous.

Closing Parentheses

Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for this is how the nations I am driving out before you have become defiled.

You must keep my practices and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations, neither those of the native nor the alien residing among you.

As the land was defiled, I came to punish it, and it expelled its inhabitants.

Remember the people who committed all these acts before you in these lands and became defiled.

If you defile the land, it will expel you as it did the nations before you.

Anyone who commits any of these abominations shall be cut off from their people.

Keep my laws and do not follow any of these abominable customs practiced before you, so as not to defile yourselves by them; I am the Lord, your God.”