18:9 the abominable practices of those nations. Anticipating the instructions regarding true and false prophecy in vv. 19–22, Moses forbids all attempts to discern the future through occult, pagan means, as well as resorting to sorcery and witchcraft. The detestable character of these practices is underscored and cited as a reason for divine judgment upon the Canaanites (vv. 9, 12).