¹⁴ then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly.^(A) And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you,^{(B) 15} you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. You must destroy it completely,^[a](C) both its people and its livestock.^{(D) 16} You are to gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town^(E) and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the Lord your God.^(F) That town is to remain a ruin^(G) forever, never to be rebuilt,