# verses

text:
No one may come with you or even be seen any place on the mountain. Not even the flocks or herds may ·eat grass [graze] near that mountain.”


text:
So Moses ·cut [hewed out] two stone tablets like the ·first ones [former]. Then early the next morning he went up Mount Sinai, just as the Lord had commanded him, carrying the two stone tablets with him.


text:
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with Moses, and the Lord called out his name: the Lord [Yahweh; ].


text:
The Lord passed in front of Moses and said, “I am the Lord. The Lord is a God who shows ·mercy [compassion], who is ·kind [gracious], ·who doesn’t become angry quickly [patient], who has great ·love [loyalty] and faithfulness


text:
and ·is kind [guards/preserves loyalty] to thousands of people. The Lord forgives people for ·evil [iniquity], for ·sin [transgression], and for ·turning against him [sin], but he does not ·forget to punish guilty people [clear]. He will punish not only the guilty people, but also their children, their grandchildren, ·their great-grandchildren, and their great-great-grandchildren [to the third and fourth generations; ; ; ; ; ; ].”


text:
He said, “Lord, if ·you are pleased with me [I have found favor in your eyes], please, [Lord] go with us. I know that these are ·stubborn [stiff-necked] people, but forgive our ·evil [iniquity] and our sin. Take us as your ·own people [inheritance; possession].”


text:
Then he said, “I am making this ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with you. I will do ·miracles [wonders] in front of all your people—things that have never before been done for any other nation on earth—and the people with you will see my work. I, the Lord, will do ·wonderful [awesome] things for you.


text:
·Obey [Observe] the things I command you today, and I will ·force [drive] out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites ahead of you.


text:
·Be careful [Watch/Guard yourself] that you don’t ·make an agreement [cut a covenant/treaty] with the people who live in the land where you are going, because ·it will bring you trouble [they will be a snare/trap in your midst].


text:
·Destroy [Tear down] their altars, break their stone pillars, and cut down their Asherah ·idols [poles; objects sacred to the Canaanite goddess of fertility].


text:
Don’t worship any other god, because I, the Lord, ·the Jealous One [whose name is Jealous], am a jealous God [].


text:
“Be careful that you don’t ·make an agreement [cut a covenant] with the people who live in that land. When they ·worship [whore after and sacrifice to] their gods, they will invite you to join them. Then you will eat their sacrifices.


text:
If you ·choose [take] some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters ·worship [whore after other] gods, they will lead your sons to ·do the same thing [whore after their gods].


text:
“Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread []. For seven days you must eat ·bread made without yeast [unleavened bread] as I commanded you. Do this ·during the month I have chosen, [at the appointed time in] the month of Abib [], because in ·that month [the month of Abib] you came out of Egypt.


text:
“·The firstborn of every mother [Everything that first opens the womb] belongs to me, including every firstborn male animal that is born in your flocks and herds.


text:
You may ·buy back [redeem; ransom] a donkey ·by paying for it with [with] a lamb, but if you don’t want to ·buy back a donkey [redeem; ransom], you must break its neck. You must ·buy back [redeem; ransom] all your firstborn sons []. “No one is to come before me ·without a gift [empty-handed].


text:
“You must work for six days, but on the seventh day you must rest—even during the ·planting [plowing] season and the harvest season [].


text:
“Celebrate the Feast of Weeks when you gather the first grain of the wheat harvest []. And celebrate the Feast of ·Shelters [Ingathering] ·in the fall [at the turn of the year; ].


text:
I will ·force out [dispossess] nations ahead of you and ·expand [enlarge] the borders of your land. You will go before the Lord your God three times each year, and at that time no one will ·try to take [covet] your land from you.


text:
“Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me with ·anything containing yeast [leaven], and do not leave any of the sacrifice of the Feast of Passover until the next morning [].


text:
“Bring the ·best first crops [firstfruits; ] that you harvest from your ground to the ·Tent [house] of the Lord your God. “You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk [].”


text:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, because with these words I have ·made an agreement [cut a covenant] with you and Israel.”


text:
Moses stayed there with the Lord forty days and forty nights, and during that time he did not eat food or drink water. And Moses wrote the words of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty]—the Ten ·Commandments [Words]—on the stone tablets.


text:
The Face of Moses Shines Then Moses came down from Mount Sinai, carrying the two stone tablets of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Testimony; Treaty] in his hands. But he did not know that his face was shining because he had talked with the Lord [reflecting God’s holiness and glory and demonstrating Moses’ authority].


text:
When Aaron and all the ·people [sons; children] of Israel saw that Moses’ face was shining, they were afraid to go near him.


text:
But Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the ·leaders of the people [men of the community/congregation/assembly] returned to Moses, and he talked with them.


text:
After that, all the ·people [sons; children] of Israel came near him, and he gave them all the commands that the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.


text:
Anytime Moses went before the Lord to speak with him, Moses took off the ·covering [veil] until he came out. Then Moses would come out and tell the Israelites what the Lord had commanded.


text:
They would see that Moses’ face was shining. So he would ·cover [veil] his face again until the next time he went in to speak with the Lord [].


text:
Rules About the Sabbath Moses ·gathered [assembled] all the ·Israelite community [congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] together and said to them, “·These are the things [This is the word/thing] the Lord has commanded you to do.


text:
You are to work for six days, but the seventh day will be a holy ·day [Sabbath], a Sabbath of rest to honor the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death.


text:
Moses said to all the ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel], “This is ·what [the word/thing] the Lord has commanded:


text:
From what you have, take ·an offering [tribute] for the Lord. Let everyone ·who is willing [whose heart moves them] bring this ·offering [tribute] to the Lord: gold, silver, bronze,


text:
and male sheepskins that are colored red. They may also bring ·fine leather [or sea cow/porpoise hides], acacia wood,


text:
olive oil for the lamps, spices for the special olive oil used for ·appointing priests [anointing] and for the sweet-smelling incense,


text:
onyx stones, and other jewels to be put on the ·holy vest [ephod; ] and ·chest covering of the priests [breastpiece; ].


text:
the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], its outer tent and its covering, the ·hooks [clasps], frames, crossbars, ·posts [pillars], and bases;


text:
the ·Ark of the Agreement [Ark; ], its poles, ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover; ], and the curtain ·in front of it [for the screen];


text:
the table [], and its poles, all ·the things that go with the table [its tools/utensils], and the ·bread that shows we are in God’s presence [Bread of the Presence];


text:
the ·lampstand [Menorah; ] for the light and all ·the things that go with it [its tools/utensils], the lamps, and olive oil for the light;


text:
the altar of incense [] and its poles, the ·special [anointing] oil and the sweet-smelling incense, the ·curtain [screen for the entrance,] for the entrance of the Meeting Tent;


text:
the altar of burnt offering and its bronze ·screen [grating], its poles and all its ·tools [utensils], the bronze bowl and its base [];


text:
the curtains around the courtyard, their ·posts [pillars] and bases, and the ·curtain [screen] at the ·entry [gate] to the courtyard;


text:
the ·special [elaborately sewn] clothes that the priest will wear in the Holy Place []. These are the holy clothes for Aaron the priest and his sons to wear when they ·serve [minister] as priests.”


text:
Then all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] of ·Israel [the sons/children of Israel] went ·away [out] from Moses.


text:
Everyone ·who wanted to give [whose heart was favorable and whose spirit was willing] came and brought a ·gift [offering] to the Lord for making the Meeting Tent, all ·the things in the Tent [its service], and the ·special [holy; sacred] clothes.


text:
All the men and women who wanted to give brought gold jewelry of all kinds—pins, earrings, rings, and bracelets. They all ·presented their [waved a wave offering of] gold to the Lord.


text:
Everyone who had blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen, and anyone who had goat hair or male ·sheepskins [ramskins] colored red or ·fine leather [or sea cow/porpoise hides] brought them to the Lord.


text:
Everyone who could give silver or bronze brought that as a ·gift [offering] to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood to be used in the work brought it.


text:
Every ·skilled woman [wise of heart/mind] used her hands to ·make [spin] the blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen, and they brought what they had ·made [spun].


text:
All the women who were ·skilled [wise] and ·wanted to help [whose hearts were favorable] ·made thread of [spun] the goat hair.


text:
The leaders brought onyx stones and other jewels ·to put on the holy vest [for the ephod; ] and ·chest covering for the priest [breastpiece; ].


text:
They also brought spices and olive oil for the sweet-smelling incense, the ·special [anointing] oil, and the oil to burn in the lamps.


text:
All the men and women of Israel ·who wanted [whose hearts were favorable] to help brought ·gifts [a free will offering] to the Lord for all the work the Lord had commanded Moses and the people to do.


text:
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “Look, the Lord has ·chosen [called by name] Bezalel son of Uri the son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah.


text:
The Lord has filled Bezalel with the ·Spirit [or spirit] of God and has given him the ·skill [wisdom], ability, and knowledge to do all kinds of work.


text:
to cut stones and jewels and put them in metal, to ·carve [engrave] wood, and to do all kinds of work.


text:
Also, the Lord has ·given [placed in the heart of] Bezalel and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach from the tribe of Dan, the ·ability [or desire] to teach others.


text:
The Lord has ·given them [filled them with] the skill to do all kinds of work. They are able to ·cut [engrave] designs in metal and stone. They can plan and ·sew designs [embroider] in the fine linen with the blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread. And they are alsoable to weave things.


text:
So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every ·skilled [wise of heart/mind] person will do the work the Lord has commanded, because he gave them the wisdom and understanding to do all the skilled work needed to build the Holy ·Tent [Place].”


text:
Then Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the other ·skilled [wise of heart/mind] people to whom the Lord had given ·skills [wisdom in their heart], and they came because ·they wanted [their hearts were favorable] to help with the work.


text:
They received from Moses everything the ·people [sons; children] of Israel had brought as ·gifts [offerings] ·to build the Holy Tent [for doing the work of the Holy Place]. The people continued to bring ·gifts [free will offerings] ·each morning because they wanted to [morning after morning].


text:
and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than we need to do the work the Lord commanded.”


text:
Then Moses sent this command throughout the camp: “No man or woman should make anything else as a ·gift for the Holy Tent [offering for the Holy Place].” So the people were kept from giving more,


text:
The Holy Tent Then the ·skilled workers [all the skilled/wise of heart] made the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. They made the ten curtains with linen and of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] cloth, and they sewed designs of ·creatures with wings [cherubim] on the curtains [These deep blue curtains with cherubim represented heaven on earth].


text:
Each curtain was the same size—·forty-two feet [twenty-eight cubits] long and ·six feet [four cubits] wide.


text:
Five of the curtains were ·fastened [bound; joined] together to make one set, and the other five were ·fastened [bound; joined] together to make another set.


text:
Then they made loops of blue cloth along the edge of the end curtain on the first set of five, and they did the same thing with the other set of five.


text:
There were fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the other curtain, with the loops opposite each other.


text:
They made fifty gold ·hooks [clasps] to join the two curtains together so that the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] was joined together as one piece.


text:
Then they made another tent of eleven curtains made of goat hair [], to put over the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].


text:
All eleven curtains were the same size—·forty-five feet [thirty cubits] long and ·six feet [four cubits] wide.


text:
The workers sewed [joined; bound] five curtains together into one set and six together into another set.


text:
They made fifty loops along the edge of the outside curtain of one set and fifty loops along the edge of the outside curtain of the other set.


text:
Then they made fifty bronze ·rings [hooks; clasps] to ·join [bind] the two sets of cloth together and make the tent one piece.


text:
They made two more coverings for the outer tent—one made of ·male sheepskins colored red [or tanned rams’ skins; ] and the other made of ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ].


text:
and there were two pegs side by side on each one. Every frame of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] was made this same way.


text:
and they made forty silver bases that went under the twenty frames. There were two bases for every frame—one for each peg of each frame.


text:
These two frames were doubled at the bottom and joined at the top with a metal ring. They did this for each of these corners.


text:
Then they made crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright frames of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. Five crossbars held the frames together on one side of the Tent,


text:
and five held the frames together on the other [second] side. Also, five crossbars held the frames together on the west end, at the rear of the Tent.


text:
They made the middle crossbar run along the entire length of each side and rear of the Tent. It was set halfway up the frames.


text:
They made gold rings on the sides of the frames to hold the crossbars, and they ·covered [overlaid] the frames and the crossbars with gold.


text:
Then they made the curtain of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen. A skilled craftsman sewed designs of ·creatures with wings [cherubim; ] on it.


text:
They made four posts of acacia wood for it and ·covered [overlaid] them with gold. Then they made gold ·hooks [clasps] for the posts, as well as four silver bases in which to set the posts.


text:
For the entrance to the Tent, they made a ·curtain [screen] of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen. ·A person who sewed well sewed designs on it […embroidered with needlework].


text:
Then they made five posts and ·hooks [clasps] for it. They covered the tops of the posts and their bands with gold, and they made five bronze bases for the posts.


text:
The Ark of the Covenant Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood; it was ·forty-five inches [two and a half cubits] long, ·twenty-seven inches [one and a half cubits] wide, and twenty-seven inches [one and a half cubits] high.


text:
He ·covered [overlaid] it, both inside and out, with pure gold, and he put a gold ·strip [molding] around it.


text:
He ·made [cast] four gold rings for it and attached them to its four feet, with two rings on ·each [one side and two rings on the other] side.


text:
Then he made a ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] of pure gold that was ·forty-five inches [two and a half cubits] long and ·twenty-seven inches [one and a half cubits] wide.


text:
Then Bezalel ·hammered gold to make two creatures with wings [made two golden cherubim of hammered gold; cherubim are powerful angelic creatures] and attached them to each end of the ·lid [cover; the mercy seat].


text:
He made one ·creature [cherubim] on one end of the lid and the ·other creature [cherubim] on the other end. He attached them to the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] so that it would be one piece.


text:
The ·creatures’ [cherubim’s] wings were spread upward, covering the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover], and the ·creatures [cherubim] faced each other across the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover].


text:
The Table Then he made the table of acacia wood; it was ·thirty-six inches [two cubits] long, ·eighteen inches [one cubit] wide, and ·twenty-seven inches [one and a half cubits] high.


text:
He made a ·frame [rim] ·three inches [a handbreadth] high ·that stood up all around the edge [all around it], and he put a gold ·strip [molding] around it.


text:
Then he made four gold rings for the table and attached them to the four corners of the table where the four legs were.


text:
The rings were put close to the ·frame [rim] around the top of the table, because they held the poles for carrying it.


text:
He made of pure gold all the ·things [vessels] that were used on the table: the plates, bowls, cups, and jars used for pouring the drink offerings [; ; ].


text:
The Lampstand Then he made the ·lampstand [Menorah] of pure gold, hammering out its base and ·stand [shaft]. Its flower-like cups, buds, and petals were joined together in one piece with the base and ·stand [shaft; ].


text:
Each branch had three cups shaped like almond flowers, and each cup had a bud and a petal. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same.


text:
There were four more cups shaped like almond flowers on the lampstand itself, each with its buds and petals.


text:
Three pairs of branches went out from the lampstand. A bud was under the place where each pair was attached to the lampstand. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same.


text:
He made seven pure gold lamps for this lampstand, and he made pure gold ·wick trimmers [snuffers] and trays.


text:
He used about ·seventy-five pounds [one talent] of pure gold to make the lampstand and all the things that go with it.


text:
The Altar for Burning Incense Then he made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square—·eighteen inches [one cubit] long and ·eighteen inches [one cubit] wide—and it was ·thirty-six inches [two cubits] high. Each ·corner that stuck out like a horn [horn; ] was joined into one piece with the altar.


text:
He ·covered [overlaid] the top and all the sides and the ·corners [horns] with pure gold, and he put gold ·trim [molding] around the altar


text:
He made two gold rings and put them below the ·trim [molding] on opposite sides of it; these rings held the poles for carrying it.


text:
Then he made the holy olive oil for ·appointing the priests [anointing] and the pure, sweet-smelling incense. He made them like a person who mixes perfumes.


text:
The Altar for Burnt Offerings Then he built the altar for burnt offerings [] out of acacia wood. The altar was square—·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] long and ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] wide—and it was ·four and one-half feet [three cubits] high.


text:
He made each corner stick out like a horn [] so that the horns and the altar were joined together in one piece. Then he ·covered [overlaid] the altar with bronze.


text:
He made all the ·tools [utensils] of bronze to use on the altar: the pots, shovels, ·bowls for sprinkling blood [basins], meat forks, and ·pans for carrying the fire [firepans].


text:
He made a large bronze screen to hold the burning wood for the altar and put it inside the altar, under its ·rim [ledge], halfway up from the bottom.


text:
He made bronze rings to hold the poles for carrying the altar, and he put them at the four corners of the screen.


text:
He put the poles through the rings on both sides of the altar, to carry it. He made the altar of boards and left the inside hollow.


text:
The Bronze Bowl He made the bronze ·bowl for washing [basin], and he built it on a bronze stand. He used the bronze from mirrors that belonged to the women who served at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
The Courtyard of the Holy Tent Then he made ·a wall of curtains to form a courtyard around the Holy Tent [the court]. On the south side the curtains were ·one hundred fifty feet [one hundred cubits] long and were made of fine linen.


text:
The curtains hung on silver hooks and bands, placed on twenty bronze ·posts [pillars] with twenty bronze bases.


text:
On the north side the wall of curtains was also ·one hundred fifty feet [one hundred cubits] long, and it hung on silver hooks and bands on twenty ·posts [pillars] with twenty bronze bases.


text:
On the west side of the courtyard, the wall of curtains was ·seventy-five feet [fifty cubits] long. It was held up by silver hooks and bands on ten ·posts [pillars] with ten bases.


text:
On one side of the entry there was a wall of curtains ·twenty-two and one-half feet [fifteen cubits] long, held up by three ·posts [pillars] and three bases.


text:
On the other side of the entry there was also a wall of curtains ·twenty-two and one-half feet [fifteen cubits] long, held up by three ·posts [pillars] and three bases.


text:
The bases for the ·posts [pillars] were made of bronze. The hooks and the bands on the ·posts [pillars] were made of silver, and the tops of the ·posts [pillars] were ·covered [overlaid] with silver also. All the ·posts [pillars] in the courtyard had silver bands.


text:
The ·curtain [screen] for the ·entry [gate] of the courtyard was made of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen, ·sewn by a person who could sew well [embroidered with needlework]. The curtain was ·thirty feet [twenty cubits] long and ·seven and one-half feet [five cubits] high, the same height as the curtains around the courtyard.


text:
It was held up by four ·posts [pillars] and four bronze bases. The hooks and bands on the posts were made of silver, and the tops on the ·posts [pillars] were ·covered [overlaid] with silver.


text:
All the tent pegs for the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and for the curtains around the courtyard were made of bronze.


text:
This is a ·list of the materials used to make [inventory; record of] the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] ·where the Agreement was kept [of the Covenant/Testimony/Treaty; reference to the tablets of the Ten Commandments; ]. Moses ordered the Levites to make this list, ·and Ithamar son of Aaron was in charge of keeping it [by the hand of Ithama son of Aaron].


text:
Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan ·helped [was with] him. He ·could cut designs into metal and stone; he was a designer and also skilled at sewing [was an engraver, designer, and embroiderer of] the blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen.


text:
The total amount of gold used to build the Holy ·Tent [Place] was ·presented [offered as a wave offering] to the Lord. It weighed over ·2,000 pounds [29 talents and 730 shekels], as set by the Holy Place measure.


text:
The silver was given by the ·members of the community [congregation; assembly] who were counted. It weighed ·7,550 pounds [100 talents and 1,775 shekels], as set by the Holy Place measure.


text:
All the men twenty years old or older were counted. There were 603,550 men, and each ·man [head] had to pay ·one-fifth of an ounce [a beka, that is half a shekel] of silver, as set by the Holy Place measure.


text:
Of this silver, ·7,500 pounds [100 talents] were used to ·make [cast] the one hundred bases for the Holy Tent and for the curtain—·75 pounds of silver [a talent] in each base.


text:
They used ·50 pounds of silver [1775 shekels] to make the hooks for the ·posts [pillars] and to ·cover [overlay] the tops of the ·posts [pillars] and to make the bands on them.


text:
The bronze which was ·presented [offered as a wave offering] to the Lord weighed about ·5,000 pounds [70 talents and 2400 shekels].


text:
They used ·the bronze to make the bases at the entrance of the Meeting Tent, to make the altar and the bronze ·screen [grating], and to make all the ·tools [utensils] for the altar.


text:
·This bronze was also used to make […and the] bases for the wall of curtains around the courtyard and bases for curtains at the ·entry [gate] to the courtyard, as well as to make the tent pegs for the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and the pegs around the courtyard.


text:
Clothes for the Priests They used blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread to make woven clothes for the priests to wear when they ·served [ministered] in the Holy Place. They made the holy clothes for Aaron as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
They made the ·holy vest [ephod] of gold, and blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen [].


text:
They hammered the gold into sheets and then cut it into long, thin strips. They worked the gold into the blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen. This was done ·by skilled craftsmen [or with a skilled design].


text:
They made the shoulder straps for the ·holy vest [ephod], which were attached to the top corners of it and tied together over each shoulder.


text:
The skillfully ·woven belt [embroidered waistband] was made in the same way; it was joined to ·the holy vest [it] as one piece. It was made of gold, and blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen, the way the Lord commanded Moses.


text:
They put gold [filigree] around the onyx stones and then ·wrote [engraved] the names of the sons of Israel on these gems, ·as a person carves words and designs on a seal [like the engravings on a seal/signet].


text:
Then they attached the gems on the shoulder straps of the ·holy vest [ephod], as reminders of the twelve sons of Israel. This was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
·The skilled craftsmen [They] made the ·chest covering [breastpiece] like the ·holy vest [ephod]; it was made of gold, and blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen.


text:
·The chest covering [It] was square—·nine inches [a span] long and ·nine inches [a span] wide—and it was ·folded double to make a pocket [doubled].


text:
Then they put four rows of ·beautiful jewels [stones] on it: In the first row there was a ·ruby [or carnelian], a ·topaz [or chrysolite], and a ·yellow quartz [or emerald];


text:
in the fourth there was a ·chrysolite [or beryl], an onyx, and a jasper [identification is uncertain]. Gold [filigree] was put around these ·jewels [stones] to attach them to the ·chest covering [breastpiece],


text:
and the names of the sons of Israel were ·carved [engraved] on these twelve ·jewels [stones] as a person ·carves [engraves] a ·seal [signet]. Each ·jewel [stone] had the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.


text:
They made two gold pieces and two gold rings. They put the two gold rings on the two upper corners of the ·chest covering [breastpiece].


text:
and they fastened the other two ends of the chains to the two ·gold pieces [or settings]. They attached these gold pieces to the two shoulder straps in the front of the ·holy vest [ephod].


text:
They made two gold rings and put them at the lower corners of the ·chest covering [breastpiece] on the inside edge next to the ·holy vest [ephod].


text:
They made two more gold rings on the bottom of the shoulder straps in front of the ·holy vest [ephod], near the seam, just above the ·woven belt [embroidered waistband] of the ·holy vest [ephod].


text:
They used a blue ·ribbon [cord] and tied the rings of the ·chest covering [breastpiece] to the rings of the ·holy vest [ephod], connecting it to the ·woven belt [embroidered waistband]. In this way the ·chest covering [breastpiece] would not ·swing out [get loose] from the ·holy vest [ephod]. They did all these things the way the Lord commanded.


text:
Then they made the outer robe ·to be worn under the holy vest [of the ephod]. It was woven only of blue cloth.


text:
They made a ·hole [opening] in the center of the outer robe, with a woven collar ·sewn around it [like a coat of mail; the Hebrew is obscure] so it would not tear.


text:
Then they made balls like pomegranates of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen and hung them around the bottom of the outer robe.


text:
They also made bells of pure gold and hung these around the bottom of the outer robe between the balls.


text:
So around the bottom of the outer robe there was a bell and a pomegranate ball, a bell and a pomegranate ball. The priest wore this outer robe when he ·served as priest [ministered], just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
Then they made the ·cloth belt [sash] of fine linen, and blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread·, and designs were sewn onto it [embroidered with needlework], just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
They made a ·strip [rosette; medallion; plate; flower] of pure gold, which is the holy ·crown [diadem], and ·carved [engraved] these words in the gold, as one might ·carve [engrave] on a ·seal [signet]: “Holy to the Lord.”


text:
Then they tied ·this flat piece [a blue cord to it to fasten it] to the turban with a blue ribbon, as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
So all the work on the [Tabernacle of the] Meeting Tent was finished. The ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
Then they brought the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] to Moses: the Tent and all its furniture, hooks, frames, crossbars, ·posts [pillars], and bases;


text:
the covering made of male ·sheepskins [ramskins] colored red, the covering made of ·fine leather [sea cow/porpoise hide], and the curtain ·that covered the entrance to the Most Holy Place [for the screen];


text:
the Ark of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; Testimony; ], its poles and ·lid [the mercy seat/atonement cover; ];


text:
the table [], all its ·containers [utensils; tools], and the bread ·that showed they were in God’s presence [of presence];


text:
the pure ·gold lampstand [Menorah; ] with its lamps in a row, all its ·tools [utensils], and the olive oil for the light;


text:
the gold altar [the incense altar; ], the special olive oil used for ·appointing priests [anointing], the sweet-smelling incense, and the ·curtain that covered [screen at] the entrance to the Tent;


text:
the bronze altar [] and its ·screen [bronze grating], its poles and all its ·tools [utensils], the bowl and its stand [];


text:
the curtains for the courtyard with their ·posts [pillars] and bases, the ·curtain that covered the entry to [screen for the gate of] the courtyard, the cords, pegs, and all the ·things [utensils for service] in the Meeting Tent.


text:
They brought the clothes for the priests to wear when they ·served [ministered] in the Holy ·Tent [Place]—the ·holy [sacred] clothes for Aaron the priest and the clothes for his sons, which they wore when they served as priests.


text:
The ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] had done all this work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
Moses looked closely at all the work and saw they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.


text:
“On the first day of the first month, set up the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], which is the Meeting Tent.


text:
Put the Ark of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; Testimony; ] in it and ·hang the curtain in front of the Ark [screen the Ark with a curtain].


text:
Bring in the table [] and arrange ·everything on the table that should be there [its setting]. Then bring in the ·lampstand [Menorah; ] and set up its lamps.


text:
Put the gold altar for ·burning incense [offering smoke; ] in front of the Ark of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; Testimony], and put the ·curtain [screen] at the entrance to the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].


text:
“Put the altar of burnt offerings [] in front of the entrance of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the Meeting Tent.


text:
Set up the courtyard ·around the Holy Tent [all around], and put the ·curtain [screen] at the ·entry [gate] to the courtyard.


text:
“Use the ·special [anointing] olive oil and ·pour it on [anoint] the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and everything in it, in order to ·give the Tent and all that is in it for service to the Lord [sanctify/consecrate it and all its utensils/tools]. They will be holy.


text:
·Pour the special oil on [Anoint] the altar for burnt offerings and on all its ·tools [utensils]. ·Give the altar for service to God [Consecrate/Sanctify the altar], and it will be ·very holy [a holy of holies].


text:
Then ·pour the special olive oil on [anoint] the bowl and the base under it so that they will be ·given for service to God [consecrated; sanctified].


text:
Then put the ·holy [sacred] clothes on Aaron. ·Pour the special oil on [Anoint] him [], and ·give him for service to God [consecrate/sanctify him] so that he may serve me as a priest.


text:
·Pour the special oil on [Anoint] them in the same way that you ·appointed [anointed] their father as priest so that they may also serve me as priests. ·Pouring oil on [Anointing] them will make them a family of priests, they and their descendants ·from now on [throughout their generations].”


text:
So the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] was set up on the first day of the first month during the second ·year after they left Egypt [year].


text:
When Moses set up the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], he put the bases in place, and he put the frames on the bases. Next he put ·the crossbars through the rings of the frames [in the poles] and set up the ·posts [pillars].


text:
After that, Moses spread ·the cloth over the Holy Tent [the tent over the Tabernacle] and put the covering over it, just as the Lord commanded.


text:
Moses put the ·stone tablets that had the Agreement written on them [Covenant; Testimony; Treaty] into the Ark. He put the poles ·through the rings of [on] the Ark and put the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] on it.


text:
Next he brought the Ark into the ·Tent [Tabernacle] and hung the curtain to ·cover [screen] the Ark [of the Testimony], just as the Lord commanded him.


text:
Moses put the table in the Meeting Tent on the north side of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] in front of the curtain.


text:
Then he ·put [arranged] the bread ·on the table [in rows] before the Lord, just as the Lord commanded him.


text:
Moses put the lampstand [Menorah] in the Meeting Tent on the south side of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] across from the table.


text:
He put the altar for burnt offerings [] at the entrance to the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the Meeting Tent, and offered a whole burnt offering and ·grain [gift; tribute; ] offerings on it, just as the Lord commanded him.


text:
Moses put the bowl [] between the Meeting Tent and the altar for burnt offerings, and he put water in it for washing.


text:
They washed themselves every time they entered the Meeting Tent and every time they went near the altar for burnt offerings, just as the Lord commanded Moses.


text:
Then Moses set up the courtyard around the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and the altar, and he put up the ·curtain [screen] at the entry to the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.


text:
The Cloud over the Holy Tent Then the cloud covered the Meeting Tent [representing God’s presence], and the glory of the Lord filled the Holy Tent [representing his manifest presence].


text:
Moses could not enter the Meeting Tent, because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].


text:
but as long as the cloud ·stayed on the Holy Tent [did not rise], they did not travel. They stayed in that place until the cloud rose.


text:
So the cloud of the Lord was over the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] during the day, and there was a fire in the cloud at night. So all the ·Israelites [house of Israel] could see the cloud while they traveled.


text:
The Burnt Offering The Lord ·called to [summoned] Moses and spoke to him from the Meeting Tent, saying,


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: ‘When you bring an offering [of livestock] to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from the herd or flock.


text:
“‘If the offering is a whole burnt offering from the herd, it must be a male ·that has nothing wrong with it [without blemish/defect]. The person must take the animal to the entrance of the Meeting Tent so that the Lord will accept the offering.


text:
He must ·put [lay] his hand on the animal’s head [to identify with the animal that served as a substitute], and ·the Lord will accept it to remove the person’s sin so he will belong to God [it will be acceptable as atonement/expiation for him].


text:
He must ·kill [slaughter] the young bull before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, must bring its blood and ·sprinkle [dash] it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
[the sons of Aaron, the priests,] are to ·lay [arrange] the head, the ·fat [suet], and other pieces on the wood that is on the fire of the altar.


text:
The animal’s inner organs and legs must be washed with water. Then the priest must ·burn all the animal’s parts [turn it into smoke] on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering, an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
“‘If the ·burnt offering [offering; gift] is a sheep or a goat from the flock [acceptable if the worshiper could not afford a bull], it must be a male ·that has nothing wrong with it [without blemish/defect].


text:
The person must ·kill [slaughter] the animal on the north side of the altar before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, must ·sprinkle [dash] its blood on all sides of the altar.


text:
The person must cut the animal into pieces, and the priest must ·lay [arrange] them, with the head and ·fat [suet], on the wood that is on the fire of the altar.


text:
The person must wash the animal’s inner organs and legs with water, and then the priest must ·burn all its parts [turn it into smoke] on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering, an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
“‘If the ·whole burnt offering [offering; gift] for the Lord is a bird [presumably because the worshiper could not afford an animal from the herd or flock], it must be a dove or a young pigeon.


text:
The priest will bring it to the altar and ·pull [wring] off its head, which he will ·burn [turn into smoke] on the altar; its blood must be drained out on the side of the altar.


text:
The priest must remove the bird’s crop [a part of its digestive system] and its contents and throw them on the east side of the altar, where the ashes are.


text:
Then he must tear the bird open by its wings without dividing it into two parts. The priest must ·burn the bird [turn it into smoke] on the altar, on the wood which is on the fire. It is a whole burnt offering, an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
The Grain Offering “‘When anyone offers a ·grain [gift; tribute; this offering of grain, called a gift offering, was not considered an atonement for sin] offering to the Lord, that ·offering [gift] must be made from ·fine [choice] flour. The person must pour oil on it, put ·incense [frankincense] on it,


text:
and then take it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. The priest must take a handful of the ·fine [choice] flour and oil and all the incense, and ·burn it [turn it into smoke] on the altar as a memorial portion. It is an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
The rest of the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering will belong to Aaron and the priests; it is a most ·holy [sacred] part of the offerings made by fire to the Lord.


text:
“‘If you bring a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering that was baked in the oven, it must be made from ·fine [choice] flour. It may be ·loaves made without yeast [unleavened cakes] and mixed with oil, or it may be ·wafers made without yeast [unleavened wafers] that have oil ·poured [spread] over them.


text:
If your grain offering is cooked on a griddle, it must be made, ·without yeast [unleavened], of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil.


text:
If your ·grain [gift; tribute] offering is cooked in a pan, it must be made from ·fine [choice] flour and oil.


text:
Bring the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering made ·of these things [or in any of these ways] to the Lord. Give it to the priest, and he will take it to the altar.


text:
He will take out the memorial portion [] from the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering and ·burn it [turn it into smoke] on the altar, as an offering made by fire. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
The rest of the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering belongs to Aaron and the priests. It is a most ·holy [sacred] part of the offerings made to the Lord by fire.


text:
“‘Every ·grain [gift; tribute] offering you bring to the Lord must be made without ·yeast [leaven], because you must not ·burn [turn into smoke] any ·yeast [leaven] or honey [both of them ferment in fire, a form of decay] in an offering made by fire to the Lord.


text:
You may bring yeast and honey to the Lord as ·an offering [gift] from the first harvest, but they must not be ·burned [raised up] on the altar as a pleasing smell.


text:
You must also put salt on all your ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings. Salt stands for your ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with God that will last forever; do not leave salt out of your ·grain [gift; tribute] offering. You must add salt to all your offerings [salt would endure the fire, thereby representing the eternal covenant].


text:
“‘If you bring a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering from the first harvest to the Lord, bring crushed heads of new grain ·roasted [parched] in the fire.


text:
The priest will ·burn [turn into smoke] the memorial portion of the crushed grain and oil, with the ·incense [frankincense] on it. It is an offering by fire to the Lord.


text:
The Fellowship Offering “‘If a person’s ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [demonstrated fellowship because the meat was to be eaten by the worshipers] to the Lord is from the herd, it may be a male or female, but it must ·have nothing wrong with it [be unblemished].


text:
The person must ·put [lay] his hand on the animal’s head [] and ·kill [slaughter] it at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. Then Aaron’s sons, the priests, must ·sprinkle [dash] the blood on all sides of the altar.


text:
From the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering he must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must offer the fat of the animal’s inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them),


text:
both kidneys with the fat that is on them near the ·lower back muscle [loins], and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.


text:
Then the priests will ·burn these parts [turn these into smoke] on the altar, on the whole burnt offering that is on the wood of the fire. It is an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
“‘If a person’s ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering to the Lord is ·a lamb or a goat [from the flock], it may be a male or female, but it must ·have nothing wrong with it [be unblemished].


text:
and ·put [lay] his hand on its head []. Then he must ·kill [slaughter] the animal in front of the Meeting Tent, and the ·priests [sons of Aaron] must ·sprinkle [dash] its blood on all sides of the altar.


text:
From the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering the person must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must bring the fat, the whole fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the fat of the inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them),


text:
both kidneys with the fat that is on them, near the ·lower back muscle [loins], and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.


text:
Then the priest will ·burn these parts [turn them into smoke] on the altar as food; it will be an offering made by fire to the Lord.


text:
and ·put [lay] his hand on its head []. Then he must ·kill [slaughter] it in front of the Meeting Tent, and the priests must ·sprinkle [dash] its blood on all sides of the altar.


text:
From this ·offering [gift] the person must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must offer all the fat of the goat’s inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them),


text:
The priest will ·burn these parts [turn them into smoke] on the altar as food. It is an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord. All the fat belongs to the Lord [see ].


text:
“‘This ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] will continue for people ·from now on [forever], ·wherever you live [in all your habitations/settlements]: You must not eat any fat [perhaps considered the location of an animal’s strength; ] or ·blood [the source of life; ; ; ; ; , ; ].’”


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel this: ‘When a person sins ·by accident [unintentionally; inadvertently; in contrast to a deliberate sin; ] ·and does some things the Lord has commanded not to be done [in any of the Lord’s commandments/regulations], ·that person must do these things [and does any one of them]:


text:
“‘If the ·appointed [anointed] priest sins so that he brings guilt on the people, then he must offer a young bull to the Lord, ·one that has nothing wrong with it [unblemished], as a ·sin [or purification; the offering would purify the offerer of the effects of sin] offering for the sin he has done.


text:
He will bring the bull to the entrance of the Meeting Tent in front of the Lord, ·put [lay] his hand on its head [], and ·kill [slaughter] it before the Lord.


text:
The priest is to dip his finger into the blood and ·sprinkle [dash] it seven times before the Lord in front of the curtain of the ·Most Holy Place [sanctuary].


text:
The priest must also put some of the blood on the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar of incense that stands before the Lord in the Meeting Tent. The rest of the blood he must pour out at the ·bottom [base; foundation] of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the entrance of the Meeting Tent.


text:
He must remove all the fat from the bull of the ·sin [or purification; ] offering—the fat on and around the inner organs,


text:
both kidneys with the fat that is on them near the ·lower back muscle [loins], and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver which he will remove with the kidneys.


text:
(He must do this in the same way the fat is removed from the bull of the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offering [].) Then the priest must ·burn [turn into smoke] the animal parts on the altar of burnt offering.


text:
But the priest must carry off the skin of the bull and all its meat, along with the rest of the bull—its head, legs, intestines, and other inner organs.


text:
He must take it outside the camp to the special clean [in a ritual sense] place where the ashes are poured out. He must burn it on a wood fire on the pile of ashes.


text:
“‘If the whole ·nation [congregation; assembly] of Israel sins ·accidentally [inadvertently; unintentionally; ] ·without knowing it [and the matter is hidden from the eyes of the assembly/crowd] and does something the Lord has commanded not to be done, they are guilty.


text:
When they learn about the sin they have done, they must offer a young bull as a ·sin [or purification] offering [] and bring it before the Meeting Tent.


text:
The elders of the ·group of people [congregation; assembly] must ·put [lay; ] their hands on the bull’s head before the Lord, and it must be ·killed [slaughtered] before the Lord.


text:
Dipping his finger in the blood, he must ·sprinkle [dash] it seven times before the Lord in front of the curtain.


text:
Then he must put some of the blood on the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar that is before the Lord in the Meeting Tent. The priest must pour out the rest of the blood at the ·bottom [base; foundation] of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
he will do the same thing with this bull that he did with the first bull of the ·sin [or purification] offering []. In this way the priest ·removes the sins of the people so they will belong to the Lord and [atones for them and they will] be forgiven.


text:
Then the priest must carry the bull outside the camp and burn it, just as he did with the first bull. This is the ·sin [or purification] offering [] for the whole ·community [assembly; crowd].


text:
“‘If a ·ruler [leader; prince] sins ·by accident [inadvertently; unintentionally; ] and does something the Lord his God has commanded must not be done, he is guilty.


text:
When he learns about his sin, he must bring a male goat that ·has nothing wrong [is unblemished] with it as his ·offering [gift].


text:
The ·ruler [leader; prince] must ·put [lay; ] his hand on the goat’s head and ·kill [slaughter] it in the place where they ·kill [slaughter] the whole burnt offering before the Lord; it is a ·sin [purification] offering [].


text:
The priest must take some of the blood of the ·sin [purification] offering [] on his finger and put it on the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar of burnt offering. He must pour out the rest of the blood at the ·bottom [base; foundation] of the altar of burnt offering.


text:
He must ·burn [turn into smoke] all the goat’s fat on the altar in the same way he ·burns [turns into smoke] the fat of the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offerings []. In this way the priest ·removes the ruler’s sin so he belongs to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him [makes atonement for him and he is forgiven].


text:
“‘If any ·person in the community [ordinary/private/lay person; of the people of the land] sins ·by accident [inadvertently; unintentionally; ] and does something which the Lord has commanded must not be done, he is guilty.


text:
When the person learns about his sin, he must bring a female goat ·that has nothing wrong with it [unblemished] as an ·offering [gift] for his sin.


text:
He must ·put [lay] his hand on the animal’s head [] and ·kill [slaughter] it at the place of the whole burnt offering.


text:
Then the priest must take some of the goat’s blood on his finger and put it on the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar of burnt offering. He must pour out the rest of the goat’s blood at the ·bottom [base; foundation] of the altar.


text:
Then the priest must remove all the goat’s fat in the same way the fat is removed from the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offerings []. He must ·burn it [turn it into smoke] on the altar as a smell pleasing to the Lord. In this way the priest ·will remove that person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him [makes atonement for him and he is forgiven].


text:
“‘If this person brings a lamb as his ·offering [gift] for sin, he must bring a female ·that has nothing wrong with it [unblemished].


text:
He must ·put [lay] his hand on the animal’s head [] and ·kill [slaughter] it as a ·sin [or purification] offering [] in the place where the whole burnt offering is ·killed [slaughtered].


text:
The priest must take some of the blood from the sin offering on his finger and put it on the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar of burnt offering. He must pour out the rest of the lamb’s blood at the ·bottom [base; foundation] of the altar.


text:
Then the priest must remove all the lamb’s fat in the same way that the lamb’s fat is removed from the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offerings []. He must ·burn the pieces on the altar [turn them into smoke] on top of the offerings made by fire for the Lord. In this way the priest ·will remove that person’s sins so he will belong to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him [makes atonement for him and he is forgiven].


text:
Special Types of Accidental Sins “‘If a person ·is ordered to tell in court [hears a public oath and he has been a witness of] what he has seen or what he knows and he does not ·tell the court [make it known], he is guilty of sin.


text:
“‘Or someone might touch something unclean, such as the dead body of an unclean wild animal or an unclean farm animal or an unclean crawling animal [, ]. Even if he does not know that he touched it, he will still be unclean and guilty of sin.


text:
“‘Someone might touch human uncleanness—anything that makes someone unclean—and not know it. But when he learns about it, he will be guilty.


text:
“‘Or someone might make a promise before the Lord ·without thinking [rashly]. It might be a [rash] promise to do something bad or something good; it might be about anything. Even if he forgets about it, when he remembers, he will be guilty [; ].


text:
He must bring an offering to the Lord as a penalty for sin; it must be a female lamb or goat from the flock. The priest will ·perform the acts to remove that person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord [make atonement for his sin].


text:
“‘But if the person cannot afford a lamb, he must bring two ·doves [turtledoves] or two young pigeons to the Lord as the penalty for his sin. One bird must be for a ·sin [or purification] offering [], and the other must be for a whole burnt offering [].


text:
He must bring them to the priest, who will first offer the one for the ·sin [or purification] offering []. He will ·pull [wring] the bird’s head from its neck, but he will not ·pull it completely off [sever it].


text:
He must ·sprinkle [dash] the blood from the ·sin [purification] offering [] on the side of the altar, and then he must pour the rest of the blood at the ·bottom [base; foundation] of the altar; it is a ·sin [or purification] offering [].


text:
Then the priest must offer the second bird as a whole burnt offering, as the ·law [regulation] says []. In this way the priest ·will remove the person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him [makes atonement for him and he is forgiven].


text:
“‘If the person cannot afford two ·doves [turtledoves] or two pigeons, he must bring about ·two quarts of [one-tenth of an ephah of] ·fine [choice] flour as an ·offering for sin [purification offering; ]. He must not put oil or ·incense [frankincense] on the flour, because it is a ·sin [or purification] offering.


text:
He must bring the flour to the priest. The priest will take a handful of the flour as a memorial offering and burn it on the altar on top of the offerings made by fire to the Lord; it is a ·sin [or purification] offering [].


text:
In this way the priest ·will remove the person’s sins so he will belong to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him [makes atonement for him and he will be forgiven]. What is left of the sin offering belongs to the priest, like the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [].’”


text:
“If a person ·accidentally [inadvertently; unintentionally; ] sins and ·does something against [is unfaithful/disloyal toward] the holy things of the Lord, he must bring from the flock a male sheep ·that has nothing wrong with it [unblemished]. This will be his ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering to the Lord. Its value in silver must be correct as set by the Holy Place measure. It is a ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering.


text:
That person must pay for the sin he did against the holy thing, adding one-fifth to its value. Then he must give it all to the priest. In this way the priest will ·remove the person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord [make atonement for him], by using the male sheep as the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering. And ·the Lord will forgive the person [he will be forgiven].


text:
“If a person sins and does something the Lord has commanded not to be done, even if he does not know it, he is still guilty. He is responsible for his sin.


text:
He must bring the priest a male sheep from the flock, one that ·has nothing wrong with it [is unblemished] and that is worth the correct amount. It will be a ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering. Though the person sinned without knowing it, with this offering the priest will ·remove the sin so the person will belong to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him [make atonement for him and he will be forgiven].


text:
The person is guilty of doing wrong, so he must give the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering to the Lord.”


text:
“A person might sin against the Lord ·by doing one of these sins [and be unfaithful/disloyal]: He might lie about ·what happened to something he was taking care of for someone else [a deposit], or ·he might lie about a promise he made [a pledge]. He might steal something or cheat someone.


text:
He might find something that had been lost and then lie about it. He might make a promise before the Lord about something and not mean it, or he might do some other sin.


text:
If he does any of these things, he is guilty of sin. He must bring back whatever he stole or whatever he took by cheating. He must bring back the ·thing he took care of for someone else [deposit]. He must bring back what he found and lied about


text:
or what he made a false promise about. He must pay the full price plus an extra one-fifth of the value of what he took. He must give the money to the true owner on the day he brings his ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering.


text:
He must bring his penalty to the priest—a male sheep from the flock, ·one that does not have anything wrong with it [unblemished] and that is worth the correct amount. It will be a ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering to the Lord.


text:
Then the priest will ·perform the acts to remove that person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord, and the Lord will forgive him [make atonement for him and he will be forgiven] for the sins that made him guilty.”


text:
“Give this command to Aaron and ·the priests [his sons]: ‘These are the ·teachings [laws; instruction] about the whole burnt offering []: The burnt offering must stay on the [hearth of the] altar all night until morning, and the altar’s fire must be kept burning.


text:
The priest must put on his linen robe and linen underclothes next to his body. Then he will remove the ashes from the burnt offering on the altar and put them beside the altar.


text:
Then he must take off those clothes and put on others and carry the ashes outside the camp to a special clean [in a ritual sense] place.


text:
But the fire must be kept burning on the altar; it must not be ·allowed to go out [extinguished]. The priest must put more firewood on the altar every morning, place the whole burnt offering on the fire, and ·burn [turn into smoke] the fat of the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [].


text:
The fire must be kept burning on the altar ·all the time [perpetually]; it must not ·go out [be extinguished].


text:
The Grain Offering “‘These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] about the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []: The ·priests [sons of Aaron] must bring it to the Lord in front of the altar.


text:
The priest must take a handful of ·fine [choice] flour, with the oil and all of the ·incense [frankincense] on it, and ·burn the grain offering [turn it into smoke] on the altar as a memorial offering to the Lord. Its smell is pleasing to him.


text:
Aaron and ·the priests [his sons] may eat what is left, but it must be eaten ·without yeast [unleavened] in a holy place. They must eat it in the courtyard of the Meeting Tent.


text:
It must not be ·cooked [baked] with ·yeast [leaven]. I have given it as their ·share [portion] of the offerings made to me by fire; it is most holy, like the ·sin [or purification] offering [] and the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering [].


text:
Any male descendant of Aaron may eat it as his ·share of the offerings [perpetual due; decree] made to the Lord by fire, ·and this will continue from now on [throughout your generations]. Whatever touches these offerings shall become holy.’”


text:
“This is the ·offering [gift] Aaron and ·the priests [his sons] must bring to the Lord on the day they ·appoint Aaron as high priest [anoint him]: They must bring ·two quarts [one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour for a ·continual [perpetual] ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], half of it in the morning and half in the evening.


text:
The ·fine [choice] flour must be mixed with oil and cooked on a griddle. Bring it when it is well ·mixed [or soaked]. Present the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] that is ·broken into pieces [or partly baked; or folded], and it will be a smell that is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
One of the priests ·appointed [anointed] to take Aaron’s place as high priest must make the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []. It is a ·rule [statute; ordinance; regulation] forever that the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] must be completely burned to the Lord.


text:
Every grain offering made by a priest must be completely ·burned [turned into smoke]; it must not be eaten.”


text:
“Tell Aaron and ·the priests [his sons]: ‘These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] about the ·sin [or purification; ] offering: The ·sin [or purification; ] offering must be ·killed [slaughtered] in front of the Lord in the same place the whole burnt offering [] is ·killed [slaughtered]; it is most holy.


text:
The priest who offers the ·sin [or purification; ] offering must eat it in a holy place, in the courtyard of the Meeting Tent.


text:
Whatever touches the meat of the ·sin [or purification; ] offering ·must be [or will become] ·holy [consecrated; set apart], and if the blood is ·sprinkled [spattered] on any clothes, you must wash them in a holy place.


text:
The clay pot the meat is ·cooked [boiled] in must be broken, or if a bronze pot is used, it must be scrubbed and rinsed with water.


text:
But if the blood of the ·sin [or purification; ] offering is taken into the Meeting Tent and used to ·remove sin [make atonement] in the Holy Place, that ·sin [or purification; ] offering must be burned with fire. It must not be eaten.


text:
The Penalty Offering “‘These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] about the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering [], which is most holy:


text:
The ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering must be ·killed [slaughtered] where the whole burnt offering is ·killed [slaughtered; ]. Then the priest must ·sprinkle [dash] its blood on all sides of the altar.


text:
He must offer all the fat from the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering—the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner organs,


text:
both kidneys with the fat that is on them near the ·lower back muscle [loins], and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.


text:
The priest must ·burn [turn into smoke] all these things on the altar as an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering.


text:
“‘The ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering [] is like the ·sin [or purification] offering [] in that the ·teachings [laws; instructions] are the same for both. The priest who ·offers the sacrifice to remove sins [makes atonement with it] will ·get the meat for food [have it].


text:
Every ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] that is baked in an oven, cooked on a griddle, or baked in a dish belongs to the priest who offers it.


text:
Every ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], either dry or mixed with oil, belongs to the priests, and ·all priests [sons of Aaron] will share alike.


text:
The Fellowship Offering “‘These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] about the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] a person may offer to the Lord:


text:
If he brings the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] to show his thanks, he should also bring loaves of bread made without ·yeast [leaven] that are mixed with oil, wafers made without ·yeast [leaven] that have oil poured over them, and loaves of ·fine [choice] flour that are ·mixed [or soaked] with oil.


text:
He must also offer loaves of bread made with ·yeast [leaven] along with his ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [], which he gives to show thanks.


text:
One of each kind of ·offering [gift] will be for the Lord; it will be given to the priest who ·sprinkles [dashes] the blood of the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering.


text:
When the fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] is given to thank the Lord, the meat from it must be eaten the same day it is offered; none of it must be left until morning.


text:
“‘If a person brings a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] ·just to give a gift to God [as a freewill offering] or because of a ·special promise to him [votive offering; in fulfillment of a vow], the sacrifice should be eaten the same day he offers it. If there is any left, it may be eaten the next day.


text:
Any meat of the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering eaten on the third day will not be accepted, nor will the sacrifice count for the person who offered it. It ·will become unclean [is an abomination], and anyone who eats the meat will be guilty of sin.


text:
“‘People must not eat meat that touches anything unclean [in a ritual sense]; they must burn this meat with fire. Anyone who is clean may eat other meat.


text:
But if anyone is unclean and eats the meat from the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] that belongs to the Lord, he must be cut off from his people.


text:
“‘If anyone touches something unclean [in a ritual sense]—uncleanness that comes from people, from an animal, or from some ·hated thing [or swarming creature]—touching it will make him unclean. If he then eats meat from the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] that belongs to the Lord, he must be cut off from his people.’”


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: ‘You must not eat any of the fat from cattle, sheep, or goats [].


text:
If an animal is found dead or torn by wild animals, you may use its fat for other things, but you must not eat it.


text:
If someone eats fat from an animal offering made by fire to the Lord, he must be cut off from his people.


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: ‘If someone brings a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] to the Lord, he must give part of it as his sacrifice to the Lord.


text:
He must carry that part of the gift in his own hands as an offering made by fire to the Lord. He must bring the fat and the breast of the animal to the priest, to be presented to the Lord as ·the priests’ share [an elevation offering].


text:
Then the priest must ·burn [turn into smoke] the fat on the altar, but the breast of the animal will belong to Aaron and ·the priests [his sons].


text:
You must also give the right thigh from the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] to the priest as a ·gift [elevation offering];


text:
it will belong to the ·priest [son of Aaron] who offers the blood and fat of the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering.


text:
I have taken the breast and the thigh from the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [] of the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], and I have given these parts to Aaron and ·the priests [his sons] as ·their share for all time [an eternal regulation] from the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].’”


text:
This is the portion that belongs to Aaron and his sons from the offerings made by fire to the Lord. They were given this share on the day they were presented to the Lord as priests.


text:
On the day ·the Lord appointed the priests [he anointed them], he commanded Israel to give this share to them, and it is ·to be given to the priests as their share [an eternal regulation] ·from now on [throughout their generations].


text:
These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] about the whole burnt offering, the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], the ·sin [or purification; ] offering, the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering [], the offering for ·the appointment of priests [ordination], and the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [].


text:
The Lord ·gave these teachings to [commanded] Moses on Mount Sinai on the day he commanded the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] to bring their ·offerings [gifts] to the Lord in the Sinai ·Desert [Wilderness].


text:
“Bring Aaron and his sons and their clothes, the special olive oil used ·in appointing people and things to the service of the Lord [for anointing], the bull of the ·sin [or purification; ] offering and the two male sheep, and the basket of bread made without ·yeast [leaven].


text:
Then gather the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] together at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.”


text:
Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] met together at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
Then Moses spoke to the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] and said, “This is what the Lord has commanded to be done.”


text:
He put the inner robe [] on Aaron and tied the ·cloth belt [sash] around him. Then Moses put the outer robe [] on him and placed the ·holy vest [ephod; ] on him. He tied the ·skillfully woven belt [embroidered waist band] around him so that the ·holy vest [ephod; ] was tied to Aaron.


text:
Then Moses put the ·chest covering [breastpiece; ] on him and put the Urim and the Thummim [devices, probably lots, that were used to discern God’s will; the name means “light and truth”; ] in the chest covering.


text:
He also put the turban on Aaron’s head. He put the ·strip of gold [rosette; medallion; plate; flower], the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as the Lord commanded him to do [].


text:
Then Moses ·put the special oil on [took the anointing oil and anointed] the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and everything in it, ·making them holy for the Lord [consecrating/sanctifying them].


text:
He sprinkled some oil on the altar seven times, ·sprinkling [anointing] the altar [] and all its tools and the large bowl [] and its base. In this way he ·made them holy for the Lord [consecrated/sanctified them].


text:
He poured some of the ·special [anointing] oil on Aaron’s head [] to ·make Aaron holy for the Lord [consecrate/sanctify him].


text:
Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons forward. He put the inner robes [] on them, tied ·cloth belts [sashes] around them, and put ·headbands [headdresses] on them, as the Lord had commanded him.


text:
Then Moses brought the bull for the ·sin [or purification; ] offering, and Aaron and his sons ·put [lay] their hands on its head.


text:
Moses ·killed [slaughtered] the bull, took the blood, and with his finger put some of it on all the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar, to ·make it pure [purify it]. Then he poured out the rest of the blood at the ·bottom [base] of the altar. In this way he ·made it holy [sanctified/consecrated it] and ·ready for service to God [made atonement for it].


text:
Moses took all the fat from the inner organs of the bull, the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat that is on them, and he ·burned them [turned them into smoke] on the altar.


text:
But he took the bull’s skin, its meat, and its ·intestines [or dung] and burned them in a fire outside the camp, as the Lord had commanded him.


text:
Next Moses brought the ·male sheep [ram] of the burnt offering [], and Aaron and his sons ·put [lay] their hands on its head.


text:
He cut the male sheep into pieces and ·burned [turned into smoke] the head, the pieces, and the fat.


text:
He washed the inner organs and legs with water and ·burned [turned into smoke] the whole ·sheep [ram] on the altar as a burnt offering [] made by fire to the Lord; its smell was pleasing to the Lord. Moses did these things as the Lord had commanded him.


text:
Then Moses brought the other ·male sheep [ram], ·the one used in appointing Aaron and his sons as priests [of ordination], and Aaron and his sons ·put [lay] their hands on its head.


text:
Then Moses ·killed [slaughtered] the sheep and put some of its blood on the ·bottom [lobe] of Aaron’s right ear, some on the thumb of Aaron’s right hand, and some on the big toe of his right foot [].


text:
Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons close to the altar. He put some of the blood on the ·bottom [lobe] of their right ears, some on the thumbs of their right hands, and some on the big toes of their right feet. Then he ·sprinkled [dashed] blood on all sides of the altar.


text:
He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat on the inner organs, the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, both kidneys with their fat, and the right thigh.


text:
From the basket of bread made without ·yeast [leaven] that is put before the Lord each day [], Moses took a loaf of bread, a loaf made with oil, and a wafer. He put these pieces of bread on the fat and right thigh of the ·male sheep [ram].


text:
All these things he put in the hands of Aaron and his sons and ·presented [raised] them as an [elevation] offering before the Lord.


text:
Then Moses took them from their hands and ·burned them [turned them into smoke] on the altar on top of the burnt offering []. So this was the offering ·for appointing Aaron and his sons as priests [for ordination]. It was an offering made by fire to the Lord, and its smell was pleasing to him.


text:
Moses also took the breast and ·presented [raised] it as an [elevation] offering before the Lord. It was Moses’ share of the ·male sheep used in appointing the priests [ram of ordination], as the Lord had commanded him.


text:
Moses took some of the ·special [anointing] oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and he sprinkled them on Aaron and Aaron’s clothes and on Aaron’s sons and their clothes. In this way Moses made Aaron, his clothes, his sons, and their clothes ·holy for the Lord [consecrated; sanctified].


text:
Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “I gave you a command, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons will eat these things.’ So take the meat and basket of bread from the offering ·for appointing priests [of ordination]. Boil the meat at the door of the Meeting Tent, and eat it there with the bread.


text:
The time of ·appointing [ordination] will last seven days; you must not go outside the entrance of the Meeting Tent until that time is up. Stay there until the time of your ·appointing [ordination] is finished.


text:
The Lord commanded the things that were done today to ·remove your sins so you will belong to him [make atonement for you].


text:
You must stay at the entrance of the Meeting Tent day and night for seven days. If you don’t obey the Lord’s commands, you will die. The Lord has given me ·these commands [this charge].”


text:
Aaron and His Sons Offer Sacrifices On the eighth day after the time of appointing, Moses called for Aaron and his sons and for the elders of Israel.


text:
He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf and a ·male sheep [ram] ·that have nothing wrong with them [unblemished], and offer them to the Lord. The calf will be a ·sin [or purification; ] offering, and the male sheep will be a whole burnt offering [].


text:
Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel, ‘Take a male goat for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering and a calf and a lamb for a whole burnt offering []; each must be one year old, and it must ·have nothing wrong with it [be unblemished].


text:
Also take a bull and a male sheep for ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [], along with a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] mixed with oil. Offer all these things to the Lord, because the Lord will appear to you today.’”


text:
So all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] came to the front of the Meeting Tent, bringing the things Moses had commanded them to bring, and they stood before the Lord.


text:
Moses said, “You have done what the Lord commanded, so you will see the Lord’s glory [his manifest presence].”


text:
Then Moses told Aaron, “Go to the altar and offer ·sin [or purification; ] offerings and whole burnt offerings []. Do this to ·remove your sins and the people’s sins so you will belong to God [make atonement for you and the people]. Offer the sacrifices for the people and ·perform the acts to remove their sins for them so they will belong to the Lord [make atonement for them] as the Lord has commanded.”


text:
So Aaron went to the altar and ·killed [slaughtered] the bull calf as a ·sin [purification; ] offering for himself.


text:
Then Aaron’s sons brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the ·bottom [base] of the altar.


text:
Aaron took the fat, the kidneys, and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver from the ·sin [or purification; ] offering and ·burned them [turned them into smoke] on the altar, in the way the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
Then Aaron ·killed [slaughtered] the animal for the whole burnt offering []. His sons brought the blood to him, and he ·sprinkled [dashed] it on all sides of the altar.


text:
As they gave him the pieces and head of the burnt offering [], Aaron ·burned them [turned them into smoke] on the altar.


text:
He also washed the inner organs and the legs of the burnt offering [] and ·burned them [turned them into smoke] on top of the burnt offering [] on the altar.


text:
Then Aaron brought the offering that was for the people. He took the goat of the people’s ·sin [or purification; ] offering and ·killed [slaughtered] it and offered it for the sin [or purification; ] offering, just as he had done the first ·sin [or purification; ] offering.


text:
Then Aaron brought the whole ·burnt offering [] and offered it ·in the way that the Lord had commanded [according to regulations].


text:
He also brought the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] to the altar. He ·took a handful of the grain [filled his hand with a portion] and ·burned it [turned it into smoke] on the altar, in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.


text:
Aaron also ·killed [slaughtered] the bull and the ·male sheep [ram] as the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [] for the people. His sons brought him the blood, and he ·sprinkled [dashed] it on all sides of the altar.


text:
Aaron’s sons also brought to Aaron the fat of the bull and the ·male sheep [ram]—the fat tail, the fat covering the inner organs, the kidneys, and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver.


text:
Aaron’s sons put them on the breasts of the bull and the sheep. Then Aaron ·burned [turned into smoke] these fat parts on the altar.


text:
He ·presented [raised] the breasts and the right thigh before the Lord as ·the priests’ share of the [an elevation] offering, as Moses had commanded.


text:
Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. When he had finished offering the ·sin [or purification; ] offering, the burnt offering [], and the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [], he stepped down from the altar.


text:
Moses and Aaron went into the Meeting Tent. Then they came out and blessed the people, and the Lord’s glory [his manifest presence] came to all the people.


text:
Fire came out from the Lord and burned up the burnt offering [] and fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and bowed facedown on the ground.


text:
God Destroys Nadab and Abihu Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their ·pans for burning incense [censers; firepans], put fire in them, and added incense; ·but they did not use the special fire Moses had commanded them to use in the presence of the Lord [and they offered unholy/illicit/strange fire such as he had not commanded them; they failed, in some unknown way, to follow strict ritual protocol].


text:
So fire came down from the Lord and ·destroyed [consumed] Nadab and Abihu, and they died in front of the Lord.


text:
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord was speaking about when he said, ‘I ·must be respected as [or will show myself] holy ·by [or through] those who come near me; before all the people I must be ·given honor [glorified].’” So Aaron did not say anything about the death of his sons.


text:
Aaron’s uncle Uzziel had two sons named Mishael and Elzaphan. Moses said to them, “Come here and pick up your cousins’ bodies. Carry them outside the camp away from the front of the ·Holy Place [sanctuary].”


text:
So Mishael and Elzaphan obeyed Moses and carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu, still clothed in the special priest’s inner robes [], outside the camp.


text:
Then Moses said to Aaron and his other sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Don’t show sadness by tearing your clothes or leaving your hair uncombed. If you do, you will die, and the Lord will be angry with all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly]. All the ·people [house] of Israel, your relatives, may cry loudly about the Lord burning Nadab and Abihu,


text:
but you must not even leave the Meeting Tent. If you go out of the entrance, you will die, because the ·Lord has appointed you to his service [anointing oil of the Lord is on you].” So Aaron, Eleazar, and Ithamar obeyed Moses.


text:
“You and your sons must not drink wine or ·beer [strong drink; an alcoholic beverage made from grain] when you go into the Meeting Tent. If you do, you will die. This ·law will continue [is a perpetual/eternal regulation] ·from now on [throughout your generations].


text:
You must keep what is holy separate from what is ·not holy [common]; you must keep what is clean separate from what is unclean [in a ritual sense].


text:
You must teach the ·people [sons/children of Israel] all the ·laws [regulations] that the Lord gave to them through Moses.”


text:
Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Eat the part of the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] that is left from the sacrifices offered by fire to the Lord, but do not add ·yeast [leaven] to it. Eat it near the altar because it is most holy.


text:
You must eat it in a holy place, because this part of the offerings made by fire to the Lord ·belongs to you and [is your due and the due of] your sons. I have been commanded to tell you this.


text:
“Also, you and your sons and daughters may eat the breast and thigh of the ·fellowship [elevation; the offering was lifted to the Lord before it was eaten] offering that was presented to the Lord. You must eat them in a clean [in a ritual sense] place; they are your ·share [due] of the ·fellowship [peace; well-being] offerings [] given by the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
The people must bring the fat from their animals that was part of the offering made by fire, and they must ·present it to the Lord along with the thigh [that is raised] and the breast of the ·fellowship [elevation—see ] offering. They will be ·the regular share of the offerings for you and [your due and the due of] your children, as the Lord has commanded.”


text:
Moses ·looked for [made inquiry about] the goat of the ·sin [or purification; ] offering, but it had already been burned up. So he became very angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s remaining sons. He said,


text:
“Why didn’t you eat ·that goat [the sin/or purification offering] in a holy place? It is most holy, and the Lord gave it to you to take away the guilt of the people, to ·remove their sins so they will belong to [make atonement for them before] the Lord.


text:
You didn’t bring the goat’s blood inside the Holy Place. You were supposed to eat the goat in a holy place, as I commanded!”


text:
But Aaron said to Moses, “Today they brought their ·sin [or purification] offering [] and burnt offering [] before the Lord, but these terrible things have still happened to me! Do you think the Lord would ·be any happier [or think it right] if I ate the ·sin [or purification] offering [] today?”


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] this: ‘From among the land animals, these are the creatures you may eat:


text:
You may eat any animal that has split hoofs completely divided and that chews the cud [considered a normal land animal].


text:
“‘Some animals only chew the cud or only have split hoofs, and you must not eat them. The camel chews the cud but does not have a split hoof; it is unclean [in a ritual sense] for you.


text:
Now the pig has a split hoof that is completely divided, but it does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.


text:
You must not eat the meat from these animals or even touch their dead bodies; they are unclean for you.


text:
“‘Of the animals that live in the sea or in a river, if the animal has fins and scales, you may eat it [considered a normal aquatic creature].


text:
But whatever lives in the sea or in a river and does not have fins and scales—including the things that ·fill [swarm] the water and all other things that live in it—·you should hate [they are detestable/abominable].


text:
You must not eat any meat from them or even touch their dead bodies, because ·you should hate them [they are detestable/abominable to you].


text:
·You must hate [Detestable/Abominable to you is] any animal in the water that does not have fins and scales.


text:
“‘Also, these are the birds you ·are to hate [should find detestable/abominable]. They are ·hateful [detestable; abominable] and should not be eaten. You must not eat eagles, vultures, black vultures,


text:
storks, any kind of heron, hoopoes, or bats [exact identification is sometimes uncertain, but all eat prey or carcasses and/or live in desolate places].


text:
“‘Don’t eat insects that have wings and walk on all four feet; they also are ·to be hated [detestable/abominable to you; their way of moving makes them abnormal insects].


text:
“‘But you may eat certain insects that have wings and walk on four feet. You may eat those that have legs with joints above their feet so they can ·jump [leap].


text:
These are the insects you may eat: all kinds of locusts, winged locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers [exact identification is uncertain].


text:
But all other insects that have wings and walk on four feet ·you are to hate [are detestable/abominable to you].


text:
Those insects will make you unclean [in a ritual sense], and anyone who touches the dead body of one of these insects will become unclean until evening.


text:
“‘Some animals have split hoofs, but the hoofs are not completely divided; others do not chew the cud. They are unclean for you, and anyone who touches the dead body of one of these animals will become unclean [in a ritual sense].


text:
Of all the animals that walk on four feet, the animals that walk on their paws are unclean for you. Anyone who touches the dead body of one of these animals will become unclean until evening.


text:
Anyone who picks up their dead bodies must wash his clothes and be unclean until evening; these animals are unclean for you.


text:
“‘These ·crawling [swarming] animals [animals that move close to the ground] are unclean for you: moles, rats, all kinds of great lizards,


text:
geckos, crocodiles, lizards, sand reptiles, and chameleons [identification of some of these animals is uncertain].


text:
These ·crawling [swarming] animals are unclean for you [probably because they eat carrion or touch dead bodies]; anyone who touches their dead bodies will be unclean [in a ritual sense] until evening.


text:
“‘If an unclean animal dies and falls on something, that item will also become unclean [in a ritual sense]. This includes anything made from wood, cloth, leather, or rough cloth, regardless of its use. Whatever the animal falls on must be washed with water and be unclean until evening; then it will become clean again.


text:
If the dead, unclean animal falls into a clay bowl, anything in the bowl will become unclean, and you must break the bowl.


text:
If any dead, unclean animal falls on something, it becomes unclean. If it is a clay oven or a clay baking pan, it must be broken into pieces. These things will be unclean; they are unclean for you.


text:
“‘A spring or ·well that collects water [cistern] will stay clean [in a ritual sense], but anyone who touches the dead body of any unclean animal will become unclean.


text:
But if you put water on some seeds and a dead, unclean animal falls on them, they are unclean for you.


text:
“‘Also, if an animal which you use for food dies, anyone who touches its body will be unclean [in a ritual sense] until evening.


text:
Anyone who eats meat from this animal’s dead body must wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. Anyone who picks up the animal’s dead body must wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.


text:
“‘Every animal that ·crawls [swarms] on the ground is ·to be hated [detestable; abominable]; it must not be eaten.


text:
You must not eat any of the animals that ·crawl [walk] on the ground, including those that ·crawl [walk] on their stomachs, that walk on all four feet, or on many feet. They are ·to be hated [detestable; abominable].


text:
Do not make yourself unclean [in a ritual sense] by these animals; you must not become unclean by them.


text:
I am the Lord your God. ·Keep yourselves holy for me [Sanctify/Consecrate yourselves and be holy] because I am holy. Don’t ·make yourselves unclean [defile yourselves] with any of these ·crawling [swarming] animals.


text:
“‘These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] about all of the cattle, birds, and other animals on earth, as well as the animals ·in the sea [that moves in the water] and those that ·crawl [swarm] on the ground.


text:
These ·teachings [laws; teachings] help people know the difference between unclean animals and clean animals [in a ritual sense]; they help people know which animals may be eaten and which ones must not be eaten.’”


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel this: ‘If a woman [conceives; becomes pregnant and] gives birth to a son, she will become unclean [in a ritual sense] for seven days, as she is unclean during her ·monthly period [menstruation; ].


text:
Then it will be thirty-three days before she becomes clean from her loss of blood. She must not touch anything that is holy or enter the ·Holy Tent [sanctuary] until her time of ·cleansing [purification] is finished.


text:
But if she gives birth to a daughter, the mother will be unclean for two weeks, as she is unclean during her ·monthly period [menstruation]. It will be sixty-six days before she becomes clean from her loss of blood.


text:
“‘After she has a son or daughter and her days of ·cleansing [purification] are over, the new mother must bring certain sacrifices to the Meeting Tent. She must give the priest at the entrance a year-old lamb for a burnt offering [] and a dove or young pigeon for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering.


text:
He will offer them before the Lord to make her clean [in a ritual sense] ·so she will belong to the Lord again [to make atonement for her]; then she will be clean from her ·loss [flow] of blood. These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] for a woman who gives birth to a boy or girl.


text:
“‘If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering [] and one for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering. In this way the priest will make her clean [in a ritual sense] ·so she will belong to the Lord again [and make atonement for her], and she will be clean.’”


text:
“Someone might have on ·his skin [the skin of his body; and so throughout the passage] a swelling or a ·rash [eruption] or a bright spot. If the sore looks like ·a harmful skin disease [leprosy; the term does not refer to modern leprosy (Hansen’s disease), but to various skin disorders], the person must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of Aaron’s sons, the priests.


text:
The priest must ·look at [examine] the sore on the person’s skin. If the hair in the sore has become white, and the sore seems deeper than the person’s skin, it is a harmful skin disease []. When he has finished ·looking at [examining] the person, the priest must announce that the person is unclean [in a ritual sense; the principle of “wholeness” was disturbed by running sores or by a skin disease that partially covered the body; see ].


text:
“If there is a white spot on a person’s skin, but the spot does not seem deeper than the skin, and if the hair from the spot has not turned white, the priest must ·separate [confine; quarantine] that person from other people for seven days.


text:
On the seventh day the priest must ·look at [examine] the person again. If he sees that the sore has not changed and it has not spread on the skin, the priest must keep the person ·separated [confined; quarantined] for seven more days.


text:
On the seventh day the priest must ·look at [examine] the person again. If the sore has faded and has not spread on the skin, the priest must announce that the person is clean [in a ritual sense]. The sore is only a ·rash [eruption]. The person must wash his clothes, and he will become clean again.


text:
“But if the ·rash [eruption] spreads again after the priest has announced him clean [in a ritual sense], the person must come again to the priest.


text:
The priest must ·look at [examine] him, and if the ·rash [eruption] has spread on the skin, the priest must announce that the person is unclean; it is a harmful skin disease [].


text:
and the priest must ·look at [examine] him. If there is a white swelling in the skin, and the hair has become white, and the skin looks raw in the swelling,


text:
it is a harmful skin disease []. It is one he has had for a long time. The priest must announce that the person is unclean [in a ritual sense]. He will not need to ·separate [confine; quarantine] that person from other people, because everyone already knows that the person is unclean.


text:
“If the skin disease [] spreads all over a person’s body, covering his skin from his head to his feet, as far as the priest can see, the priest must ·look at [examine] the person’s whole body.


text:
If the priest sees that the disease covers the whole body and has turned all of the person’s skin white, he must announce that the person is clean [in a ritual sense; he was clean because he was whole, uniformly covered by skin disease; ].


text:
“But when the person has ·an open sore [raw flesh], he is unclean [in a ritual sense; because there was a break in the surface of his body, he was no longer whole].


text:
When the priest sees the ·open sore [raw flesh], he must announce that the person is unclean. The open sore is not clean; it is a harmful skin disease [].


text:
The priest must ·look at [examine] him, and if the ·sores have [raw flesh has] become white, the priest must announce that the person with the ·sores [raw flesh] is clean. Then he will be clean.


text:
If in the place where the boil was, there is a white swelling or a bright red spot, this place on the skin must be shown to the priest.


text:
And the priest must ·look at [examine] it. If the spot seems deeper than the skin and the hair on it has become white, the priest must announce that the person is unclean [in a ritual sense]. The spot is a harmful skin disease [] that has broken out from inside the boil.


text:
But if the priest looks at the spot and there are no white hairs in it and the spot is not deeper than the skin and it has faded, the priest must ·separate [confine; quarantine] the person from other people for seven days.


text:
If the spot spreads on the skin, the priest must announce that the person is unclean; it is a disease that will spread.


text:
But if the bright spot does not spread or change, it is only the scar from the old boil. Then the priest must announce that the person is clean.


text:
the priest must ·look at [examine] it. If the white spot seems deeper than the skin and the hair at that spot has become white, it is a harmful skin disease []. The disease has broken out in the burn, and the priest must announce that the person is unclean [in a ritual sense]. It is a harmful skin disease [].


text:
But if the priest ·looks at [examines] the spot and there is no white hair in the bright spot, and the spot is no deeper than the skin and has faded, the priest must ·separate [confine; quarantine] the person from other people for seven days.


text:
On the seventh day the priest must ·look at [examine] him again. If the spot has spread on the skin, the priest must announce that the person is unclean. It is a harmful skin disease [].


text:
But if the bright spot has not spread on the skin but has faded, it is the swelling from the burn. The priest must announce that the person is clean, because the spot is only a scar from the burn.


text:
a priest must ·look at [examine] the sore. If it seems deeper than the skin and the hair around it is thin and yellow, the priest must announce that the person is unclean [in a ritual sense]. It is an ·itch [scaly patch; perhaps eczema or ringworm], a harmful skin disease [] of the head or ·chin [or cheek; or beard].


text:
But if the priest ·looks at [examines] it and it does not seem deeper than the skin and there is no black hair in it, the priest must ·separate [confine; quarantine] the person from other people for seven days.


text:
On the seventh day the priest must ·look at [examine] the ·sore [itch; scaly patch; ]. If it has not spread, and there are no yellow hairs growing in it, and the ·sore [itch; scaly patch] does not seem deeper than the skin,


text:
the person must shave himself, but he must not shave the ·sore place [itch; scaly patch]. The priest must ·separate [confine; quarantine] that person from other people for seven more days.


text:
On the seventh day the priest must ·look at [examine] the ·sore [itch; scaly patch]. If it has not spread on the skin and it does not seem deeper than the skin, the priest must announce that the person is clean [in a ritual sense]. So the person must wash his clothes and become clean.


text:
the priest must ·look at [examine] him again. If the sore has spread on the skin, the priest doesn’t need to look for the yellowish hair; the person is unclean.


text:
But if the priest thinks the sore has stopped spreading, and black hair is growing in it, the ·sore [itch; scaly patch; ] has healed. The person is clean, and the priest must announce that he is clean.


text:
a priest must ·look at [examine] them. If the spots on the skin are dull white, the disease is only a harmless rash. That person is clean [in a ritual sense].


text:
But if there is a red-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is a skin disease [] breaking out in those places.


text:
A priest must ·look at [examine] that person. If the swelling of the sore on his bald head or forehead is red-white, like a skin disease that spreads,


text:
that person has a skin disease []. He is unclean. The priest must announce that the person is unclean because of the sore on his head.


text:
“If a person has a skin disease [] that spreads, he must warn other people by shouting, ‘Unclean, unclean [in a ritual sense]!’ His clothes must be torn at the seams, he must let his hair stay uncombed, and he must cover his ·mouth [upper lip].


text:
That person will be unclean the whole time he has the disease; he is unclean. He must live alone outside the camp.


text:
Rules About Mildew “Clothing might have ·mildew [or mold; the same Hebrew word as for “skin disease”; ] on it. It might be clothing made of linen or wool


text:
If the mildew [] in the clothing, leather, or woven or knitted material is green or red, it is a spreading mildew. It must be shown to the priest.


text:
The priest must ·look at [examine] the mildew, and he must put that piece of clothing in a ·separate [confined; quarantined] place for seven days.


text:
On the seventh day he must ·look at [examine] the mildew [] again. If the mildew has spread on the cloth (either woven or knitted) or the leather, no matter what the leather was used for, it is a mildew [] that destroys; it is unclean [in a ritual sense].


text:
The priest must burn the clothing. It does not matter if it is woven or knitted, wool or linen, or made of leather, because the mildew is spreading. It must be burned.


text:
“If the priest sees that the mildew [] has not spread in the cloth (either knitted or woven) or leather,


text:
he must order the people to wash that piece of leather or cloth. Then he must ·separate [confine; quarantine] the clothing for seven more days.


text:
After the piece with the mildew has been washed, the priest must ·look at [examine] it again. If the mildew [] still looks the same, the piece is unclean, even if the mildew has not spread. You must burn it in fire; it does not matter if the mildew is on one side or the other.


text:
“But when the priest ·looks at [examines] that piece of leather or cloth, the mildew [] might have faded after the piece has been washed. Then the priest must tear the mildew out of the piece of leather or cloth (either woven or knitted).


text:
But if the mildew comes back to that piece of leather or cloth (either woven or knitted), the mildew is spreading. And whatever has the mildew must be burned with fire.


text:
When the cloth (either woven or knitted) or the leather is washed and the mildew [] is gone, it must be washed again; then it will be clean [in a ritual sense].


text:
“These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] about mildew [] on pieces of cloth (either woven or knitted) or leather, to decide if they are clean or unclean [in a ritual sense].”


text:
“These are the ·teachings [instructions; laws] for the time at which people who had a harmful skin disease [] are made clean [in a ritual sense]. “The person shall be brought to the priest,


text:
and the priest must go outside the camp and ·look at [examine] the one who had the skin disease. If the skin disease is healed,


text:
the priest will command that two living, clean birds, a piece of cedar wood, a piece of red string, and a hyssop plant [] be brought for cleansing the person with the skin disease.


text:
Then he will take the living bird, the piece of cedar wood, the red string, and the hyssop; all these he will dip into the blood of the bird that was ·killed [slaughtered] over the fresh water.


text:
The priest will sprinkle the blood seven times on the person being cleansed from the skin disease []. He must announce that the person is clean [in a ritual sense] and then go to an open field and let the living bird go free.


text:
“The person to be cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe in water [perhaps representing complete decontamination]. Then he will be clean and may go into the camp, though he must stay outside his tent for the first seven days.


text:
On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—the hair from his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he will be clean [in a ritual sense].


text:
“On the eighth day the person who had the skin disease must take two male lambs that ·have nothing wrong with them [are unblemished] and a year-old female lamb that ·has nothing wrong with it [is unblemished]. He must also take six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] and ·two-thirds of a pint [three-tenths of an ephah] of olive oil.


text:
The priest who is to announce that the person is clean [in a ritual sense] must bring him and his sacrifices before the Lord at the entrance of the Meeting Tent.


text:
The priest will take one of the male lambs and offer it with the olive oil as a ·penalty [guilt; reparation; ] offering; he will present them before the Lord as an offering.


text:
Then he will ·kill [slaughter] the male lamb in the holy place, where the ·sin [or purification; ] offering and the whole burnt offering are killed. The ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering is like the ·sin [or purification; ] offering—it belongs to the priest and it is most holy.


text:
“The priest will take some of the blood of the ·penalty [guilt; reparation; ] offering and put it on the ·bottom [lobe] of the right ear of the person to be made clean. He will also put some of it on the thumb of the person’s right hand and on the big toe of the person’s right foot.


text:
Then the priest will take some of the [log of; a liquid measure] oil and pour it into his own left hand.


text:
He will dip a finger of his right hand into the oil that is in his left hand, and with his finger he will sprinkle some of the oil seven times before the Lord.


text:
The priest will put some oil from his hand on the ·bottom [lobe] of the right ear of the person to be made clean, some on the thumb of the person’s right hand, and some on the big toe of the person’s right foot. The oil will go on these places on top of the blood for the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering.


text:
He will put the rest of the oil that is in his left hand on the head of the person to be made clean [in a ritual sense]. In this way the priest will make that person clean ·so he can belong to [and make atonement for that person before] the Lord again.


text:
“Next the priest will offer the ·sin [or purification; ] offering to make that person clean ·so he can belong to the Lord again [and make atonement]. After this the priest will ·kill [slaughter] the animal for the whole burnt offering [],


text:
and he will offer the burnt offering and ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] on the altar. In this way he will make that person clean [in a ritual sense] ·so he can belong to the Lord again [and make atonement for him].


text:
“But if the person is poor and unable to afford these offerings, he must take one male lamb for a ·penalty [guilt; reparation; ] offering. It will be presented to the Lord to make him clean [in a ritual sense] ·so he can belong to the Lord again [and make atonement for him]. The person must also take ·two quarts [one tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil for a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []. He must also take ·two-thirds of a pint [a log; a liquid measure] of olive oil


text:
and two doves or two young pigeons, which he can afford. One bird is for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering and the other for a whole burnt offering [].


text:
On the eighth day the person will bring them for his cleansing to the priest at the entrance of the Meeting Tent, before the Lord.


text:
The priest will take the lamb for the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering and the oil, and he will present them as an offering before the Lord.


text:
Then he will ·kill [slaughter] the lamb of the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering, take some of its blood, and put it on the ·bottom [lobe] of the right ear of the person to be made clean [in a ritual sense]. The priest will put some of this blood on the thumb of the person’s right hand and some on the big toe of the person’s right foot.


text:
Then with a finger of his right hand, he will sprinkle some of the oil from his left hand seven times before the Lord.


text:
The priest will take some of the oil from his hand and put it on the ·bottom [lobe] of the right ear of the person to be made clean. He will also put some of it on the thumb of the person’s right hand and some on the big toe of the person’s right foot. The oil will go on these places on top of the blood from the ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offering.


text:
The priest must put the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the head of the person to be made clean, to make him clean ·so he can belong to [to make atonement for him before] the Lord again.


text:
He must offer one of the birds for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering and the other for a whole burnt offering [], along with the grain [gift; tribute; ] offering. In this way the priest will make the person clean so he can ·belong to [make atonement before] the Lord again; he will become clean.


text:
“These are the ·teachings [regulations; laws] for making a person clean [in a ritual sense] after he has had a skin disease [], if he cannot afford the regular sacrifices for becoming clean.”


text:
“I am giving the land of Canaan to your people. When they enter that land [of your possession], if I cause ·mildew [or mold; ] to grow in someone’s house in that land [of your possession],


text:
the owner of that house must come and tell the priest. He should say, ‘I have seen something like ·mildew [or mold; a disease] in my house.’


text:
Then the priest must order the people to empty the house before he goes in to ·look at [examine] the ·mildew [or mold; disease]. This is so he will not have to say that everything in the house is unclean [in a ritual sense]. After this, the priest will go in to ·look at [examine] it.


text:
He will ·look at [examine] the ·mildew [or mold; disease], and if the ·mildew [or mold; disease] on the walls of the house is green or red and goes into the wall’s surface,


text:
On the seventh day the priest must come back and check the house. If the ·mildew [or mold; disease] has spread on the walls of the house,


text:
the priest must order the people to tear out the stones with the ·mildew [or mold; disease] on them. They should throw them away, at a certain unclean place outside the city.


text:
Then the priest must have all the inside of the house scraped. The people must throw away the plaster they scraped off the walls, at a certain unclean place outside the city.


text:
“Suppose a person has taken away the old stones and plaster and put in new stones and plaster. If ·mildew [or mold; disease] again appears in his house,


text:
the priest must come back and check the house again. If the ·mildew [or mold; disease] has spread in the house, it is a ·mildew [or mold; ] that destroys things; the house is unclean [in a ritual sense].


text:
Then the owner must tear down the house, remove all its stones, plaster, and wood, and take them to the unclean place outside the city.


text:
“Suppose after new stones and plaster have been put in a house, the priest checks it again and the ·mildew [or mold; disease] has not spread. Then the priest will announce that the house is clean [in a ritual sense], because the ·mildew [or mold; disease] is gone.


text:
“Then, to make the house clean [in a ritual sense], the priest must take two birds, a piece of cedar wood, a piece of red string, and a hyssop plant.


text:
Then he will take the bird that is still alive, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the red string, and he will dip them into the blood of the bird that was ·killed [slaughtered] over the fresh water. The priest will sprinkle the blood on the house seven times.


text:
He will use the bird’s blood, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the red string to make the house clean.


text:
He will then go to an open field outside the city and let the living bird go free. This is how the priest makes the house clean and ·ready for service to the Lord [makes atonement for the house].”


text:
they help people decide when things are unclean [in a ritual sense] and when they are clean. These are the ·teachings [regulations; laws] about all these kinds of diseases.


text:
“Say to the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: ‘When ·a fluid comes from a person’s body [any man has a discharge from his genitals/flesh], the ·fluid is [discharge makes him] unclean [in a ritual sense].


text:
It doesn’t matter if the ·fluid [discharge] flows freely or if it is blocked from ·flowing [discharging]; the ·fluid [discharge] will make him unclean. This is the way the ·fluid [discharge] makes him unclean:


text:
“‘If the person ·who discharges the body fluid [with the discharge] lies on a bed, that bed becomes unclean [in a ritual sense], and everything he sits on becomes unclean.


text:
Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and the person will be unclean until evening.


text:
Whoever sits on something that the person ·who discharges the fluid [with the discharge] sat on must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he will be unclean until evening.


text:
Anyone who touches the person ·who discharges the body fluid [with the discharge] must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he will be unclean until evening.


text:
“‘If the person ·who discharges the body fluid [with the discharge] spits on someone who is clean [in a ritual sense], that person must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he will be unclean until evening.


text:
Everything on which the person who is unclean sits when riding [specifically a saddle] will become unclean.


text:
Anyone who touches something that was under him will be unclean until evening. And anyone who carries these things must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he will be unclean until evening.


text:
“‘If the person ·who discharges a body fluid [with a discharge] has not washed his hands in water and touches another person, that person must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he will be unclean [in a ritual sense] until evening.


text:
“‘If a person ·who discharges a body fluid [with a discharge] touches a clay bowl, that bowl must be broken. If he touches a wooden bowl, that bowl must be washed in water.


text:
“‘When a person ·who discharges a body fluid [with a discharge] is made clean [in a ritual sense], he must count seven days for himself for his cleansing. He must wash his clothes and bathe his body in fresh water, and he will be clean.


text:
On the eighth day he must take two doves or two young pigeons before the Lord at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. He will give the two birds to the priest.


text:
The priest will offer the birds, one for a sin [or purification; ] offering and the other for a burnt offering []. And the priest will make that person clean ·so he can belong to the Lord again [and make atonement for him].


text:
“‘If semen [considered holy due to its association with life] goes out from a man, he must bathe in water; he will be unclean [in a ritual sense] until evening [contact with something holy also rendered a person unclean].


text:
If the fluid gets on any clothing or leather, it must be washed with water; it will be unclean until evening.


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations [lies] with a woman [presumably his wife] and ·semen comes out [has an emission of semen], both people must bathe in water; they will be unclean [in a ritual sense] until evening.


text:
Rules About a Woman’s Body “‘When a woman has ·her monthly period [a discharge of blood from her genitals/body], she is unclean [in a ritual sense; the blood’s association with reproduction makes it holy; ] for seven days; anyone who touches her will be unclean until evening.


text:
Anything she lies on during this time will be unclean, and everything she sits on during this time will be unclean.


text:
Anyone who touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe in water; that person will be unclean until evening.


text:
Anyone who touches something she has sat on must wash his clothes and bathe in water; that person will be unclean until evening.


text:
It does not matter if the person touched the woman’s bed or something she sat on; he will be unclean until evening.


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations with a woman [lies with her] and her ·monthly period [discharge] touches him, he will be unclean [in a ritual sense] for seven days; every bed he lies on will be unclean.


text:
“‘If a woman has a ·loss [discharge] of blood for many days and it is not during her regular monthly period, or if she continues to have a ·loss [discharge] of blood after her regular period, she will be unclean [in a ritual sense], as she is during her monthly period. She will be unclean for as long as she continues to bleed [; ; ].


text:
Any bed she lies on during all the time of her ·bleeding [discharge] will be like her bed during her regular monthly period. Everything she sits on will be unclean, as during her regular monthly period.


text:
“‘Whoever touches those things will be unclean [in a ritual sense] and must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he will be unclean until evening.


text:
When the woman becomes clean from her ·bleeding [discharge], she must ·wait [count] seven days, and after this she will be clean.


text:
Then on the eighth day she must take two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance of the Meeting Tent.


text:
The priest must offer one bird for a sin [or purification; ] offering and the other for a whole burnt offering []. In this way the priest will make her clean so she can belong to the Lord again [and make atonement for her].


text:
“‘So you must warn the ·people [sons; children] of Israel to stay separated from things that make them unclean [in a ritual sense]. If you don’t warn the people, they might make my ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] unclean, and then they would have to die!’”


text:
These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] for the person who ·discharges a body fluid [has a discharge] and for the man who becomes unclean [in a ritual sense] from ·semen coming out of his body [an emission of semen].


text:
These are the ·teachings [laws; regulations] for the woman who becomes unclean from her monthly period, for a man or woman who has a discharge, and for a man who ·becomes unclean by having sexual relations [lies] with a woman who is unclean.


text:
The Day of Cleansing Now two of Aaron’s sons had died ·while offering incense to [when they drew near to/approached] the Lord, and after that time the Lord spoke to Moses.


text:
The Lord said to him, “Tell your brother Aaron that there are times when he cannot go ·behind [inside] the curtain ·into the Most Holy Place [before the mercy seat/atonement cover; ] where the Ark is. If he goes in when I appear in a cloud over the ·lid on the Ark [mercy seat; atonement cover], he will die.


text:
“This is how Aaron may enter the Most Holy Place: Before he enters, he must offer a bull for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering and a ·male sheep [ram] for a whole burnt offering [].


text:
He must put on the holy linen inner robe [], with the linen underclothes [] next to his body. His belt will be the cloth belt [sash], and he will wear the linen turban. These are holy clothes, so he must bathe his body in water before he puts them on.


text:
“Aaron must take from the ·people [sons; children] of Israel two male goats for a sin [or purification; ] offering and one ·male sheep [ram] for a burnt offering [].


text:
Then he will offer the bull for the ·sin [or purification; ] offering ·for himself to remove sins from him and his family so they will belong to the Lord [to make atonement for him and for his family/house].


text:
“Next Aaron will take the two goats and bring them before the Lord at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
He will throw lots for the two goats—one will be for the Lord and the other for ·the goat that removes sin [the scapegoat; Azazel; meaning uncertain; perhaps a geographical name].


text:
Then Aaron will take the goat that was chosen for the Lord by throwing the lot, and he will offer it as a ·sin [or purification; ] offering.


text:
The other goat, which was chosen by lot ·to remove the sin [as the scapegoat; for Azazel to make atonement], must be brought alive before the Lord. The priest will use it to perform the acts that remove Israel’s sin so they will belong to the Lord. Then this goat will be sent out into the ·desert [wilderness] ·as a goat that removes sin [as the scapegoat; to Azazel].


text:
“Then Aaron will offer the bull as a ·sin [or purification; ] offering for himself, ·to remove the sins from him and his family so they will belong to the Lord [to make atonement for himself and his family]; he will ·kill [slaughter] the bull for the ·sin [or purification; ] offering for himself.


text:
Then he must take a pan full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of sweet incense that has been ground into powder. He must bring it into the room ·behind [inside] the curtain.


text:
He must put the incense on the fire before the Lord so that the cloud of incense will cover the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover; ] on the ·Ark [Covenant; Treaty; Testimony; ]. Then when Aaron comes in, he will not die.


text:
Also, he must take some of the blood from the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover]; with his finger he will sprinkle the blood seven times in front of the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover].


text:
“Then Aaron must ·kill [slaughter] the goat of the ·sin [or purification; ] offering for the people and bring its blood into the room ·behind [inside] the curtain. He must do with the goat’s blood as he did with the bull’s blood, sprinkling it on the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] and in front of the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover].


text:
Because the ·people [sons; children] of Israel have been unclean [in a ritual sense], Aaron will ·perform the acts to make the Most Holy Place ready for service to the Lord [make atonement for the sanctuary]. Then it will be clean from the sins and crimes of the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. He must also do this for the Meeting Tent, because it stays in the middle of unclean people.


text:
When Aaron makes ·the Most Holy Place ready for service to the Lord [atonement for the sanctuary], no one is allowed in the Meeting Tent until he comes out. So Aaron will ·perform the acts to remove sins from [make atonement for] himself, his family, and all the ·people [assembly; crowd] of Israel, so they will belong to the Lord.


text:
Afterward he will go out to the altar that is before the Lord and ·will make it ready for service to the Lord [make atonement for it]. Aaron will take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on the ·corners [horns; ] of the altar on all sides.


text:
Then, with his finger, he will sprinkle some of the blood on the altar seven times to make the altar holy for the Lord and clean from all the sins of the Israelites.


text:
“When Aaron has finished making ·the Most Holy Place, the Meeting Tent, and the altar ready for service to the Lord [atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Meeting Tent, and the altar], he will offer the living goat.


text:
He will ·put [lay] both his hands on the head of the living goat [a sign of association of the offerer and the animal], and he will confess over it all the sins and crimes of Israel. In this way Aaron will put the people’s sins on the goat’s head. Then he will send the goat away into the ·desert [wilderness], and a man who has been appointed will lead the goat away.


text:
So the goat will carry on itself all the people’s sins to a lonely place in the desert. The man who leads the goat will let it loose there.


text:
“Then Aaron will enter the Meeting Tent and take off the linen clothes he had put on before he went into the Most Holy Place; he must leave these clothes there.


text:
He will bathe his body in water in a holy place and put on his regular clothes [his more ornate priestly clothes]. Then he will come out and offer the whole burnt offering [] for himself and for the people, to ·remove sins from himself and the people so they will belong to the Lord [make atonement for himself and the people].


text:
“The person who led the goat, ·the goat to remove sins [the scapegoat; for/to Azazel; ], into the desert must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water. After that, he may come back into the camp.


text:
“The bull and the goat for the ·sin [or purification; ] offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make ·it ready for service to the Lord [atonement], must be taken outside the camp; the animals’ skins, bodies, and intestines will be burned in the fire.


text:
Then the one who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water. After that, he may come back into the camp.


text:
“This ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] will always continue for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must deny yourself [perhaps a reference to fasting] and you must not do any work. The ·travelers [or citizens] or ·foreigners living with you [alien residents] must not work either.


text:
It is on this day that the priests will make you clean ·so you will belong to the Lord again [and make atonement for you]. All your sins will be removed.


text:
This is a very important day of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. This ·law [statute; ordinance; regulation] will continue forever.


text:
“The priest ·appointed to take his father’s place, on whom the oil was poured [who is anointed and consecrated in his father’s place], will ·perform the acts for making things ready for service to the Lord [make atonement]. He must put on the holy linen clothes


text:
and make ·the Most Holy Place, the Meeting Tent, and the altar ready for service to the Lord [atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Meeting Tent, and the altar]. He must ·also remove the sins of the priests and all the people of Israel so they will belong to the Lord [make atonement for the priests and the people of Israel].


text:
That ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] for removing the sins of the Israelites ·so they will belong to the Lord [and make atonement] will continue forever. You will do these things once a year.” So they did the things the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
“Speak to Aaron, his sons, and all the ·people [sons; children] of Israel. Tell them: ‘This is what the Lord has commanded.


text:
If ·an Israelite [a person from the house of Israel] ·kills [slaughters] an ox, a lamb, or a goat either inside the camp or outside it,


text:
when he should have brought the animal to the entrance of the Meeting Tent as a ·gift [offering] to the Lord in front of the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [sanctuary], he is guilty of ·killing [shedding blood]. He has ·killed [shed blood], and he must be cut off from the people.


text:
This rule is so ·people [the sons/children of Israel] will bring their sacrifices, which they have been sacrificing in the open fields, to the Lord. They must bring those animals to the Lord at the entrance of the Meeting Tent; they must bring them to the priest and offer them as ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [].


text:
Then the priest will ·sprinkle [dash] the blood from those animals on the Lord’s altar near the entrance of the Meeting Tent. And he will ·burn [turn into smoke] the fat from those animals on the altar [], as a smell pleasing to the Lord.


text:
They must not offer any more sacrifices to their goat idols [goat images representing demons; ; ; ], which they have chased like prostitutes [spiritual infidelity is often likened to marital infidelity; ]. These ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] will continue for people ·from now on [throughout their generations].’


text:
“Tell the people this: ‘If ·any citizen [anyone from the house] of Israel or ·foreigner living with you [sojourner; wanderer; resident alien] offers a burnt offering [] or sacrifice,


text:
that person must take his sacrifice to the entrance of the Meeting Tent to offer it to the Lord. If he does not do this, he must be cut off from the people.


text:
“‘I will be against ·any citizen [anyone from the house] of Israel or ·foreigner living with you [sojourner; wanderer; resident alien] who eats blood []. I will cut off that person from the people.


text:
This is because the life of the body is in the blood, and I have given you rules for pouring that blood on the altar ·to remove your sins so you will belong to the Lord [to make atonement]. It is the blood that ·removes the sins [makes atonement], because it is life.


text:
So I tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel this: “None of you may eat blood, and no ·foreigner living among you [resident alien] may eat blood.”


text:
“‘If any ·citizen [of the sons/children] of Israel or ·foreigner living among you [resident alien] ·catches [hunts] a wild animal or bird that can be eaten, that person must pour the blood on the ground and cover it with dirt.


text:
If blood is still in the ·meat [flesh], the animal’s life is still in it. So I give this command to the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: “Don’t eat ·meat [flesh] that still has blood in it, because the animal’s life is in its blood. Anyone who eats blood must be cut off [].”


text:
“‘If a person, either a ·citizen [native] or a ·foreigner [resident alien], eats an animal that died by itself or was killed by another animal, he must wash his clothes and bathe in water. He will be unclean [in a ritual sense] until evening; then he will be clean.


text:
If he does not wash his clothes and bathe his body, he will ·be guilty of sin [carry their guilt].’”


text:
In the past you lived in Egypt, but you must not do what was done in that country. And you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their ·customs [statutes; ordinances; requirements].


text:
You must obey my ·rules [regulations] and ·follow [guard; keep] ·them [my statutes/ordinances/requirements]. I am the Lord your God.


text:
·Obey [Guard; Keep] my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·rules [regulations]; a person who obeys them will live because of them. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘You must never ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your close relatives. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘You must not ·shame [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your father by ·having sexual relations with [exposing/uncovering the nakedness of] your mother. She is your mother; do not ·have sexual relations with her [expose/uncover her nakedness].


text:
You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your father’s wife; ·that would shame [it is the nakedness of] your father.


text:
“‘You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your sister, either the daughter of your father or your mother. It doesn’t matter if she was born in your house or somewhere else.


text:
“‘You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; ·that would bring shame on you [their nakedness is your nakedness].


text:
“‘If your father and his wife have a daughter, she is your sister. You must not ·have sexual relations with her [expose/uncover her nakedness].


text:
“‘You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.


text:
You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your mother’s sister; she is your mother’s close relative.


text:
You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] the wife of your father’s brother, ·because this would shame him [you should not approach his wife]. She is your aunt.


text:
“‘You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your daughter-in-law; she is your son’s wife. ·Do not have sexual relations with her [You must not expose/uncover her nakedness].


text:
“‘You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] your brother’s wife. ·That would shame [It is the nakedness of] your brother.


text:
“‘You must not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] both a woman and her daughter. And do not ·have sexual relations with [expose/uncover the nakedness of] this woman’s granddaughter, either the daughter of her son or her daughter; they are her close relatives. It is evil to do this.


text:
“‘While your wife is still living, you must not take her sister as ·another wife [a rival]. Do not ·have sexual relations with her [expose/uncover her nakedness].


text:
“‘You must not go near a woman to ·have sexual relations with her [expose/uncover her nakedness] during her monthly period, when she is unclean [in a ritual sense; ].


text:
“‘You must not have ·sexual relations [intercourse] with your neighbor’s wife and make yourself unclean with her.


text:
“‘You must not give any of your children to ·be sacrificed [pass them over; an allusion to passing them through fire] to Molech [probably an Ammonite god; ; ; ], ·because this would show that you do not respect [and so profane the name of] your God. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘You must not ·have sexual relations [lie] with a man as you would a woman. That is ·a hateful sin [an abomination].


text:
“‘You must not have ·sexual relations [intercourse] with an animal and make yourself unclean with it. Also a woman must not ·have sexual relations with an animal [stand in front of an animal for copulation]; it is ·not natural [perverted].


text:
“‘Don’t make yourself unclean by any of these wrong things. I am forcing nations out of their countries because they did these sins, and I am giving their land to you.


text:
The land has become unclean [in a ritual sense], and I punished it for its sins, so the land is ·throwing [vomiting] out those people who live there.


text:
“‘You must ·obey [guard; keep] my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·rules [regulations], and you must not do any of these ·hateful sins [abominations]. ·These rules [They] are for ·the citizens of Israel and for the people who live with you [natives and resident aliens].


text:
The people who lived in the land before you did all these ·hateful [abominable] things and made the land unclean.


text:
If you do these things, you will also make the land unclean, and it will ·throw [vomit] you out as it ·threw [vomited] out the nations before you.


text:
·Keep [Guard] my command not to do these ·hateful sins [abominations] that were done by the people who lived in the land before you. Don’t make yourself unclean by doing them. I am the Lord your God.’”


text:
“Tell all the ·people [congregation/community of the sons/children] of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God. You must be holy because I am holy.


text:
“‘You must ·respect [fear; revere] your mother and father [; ], and you must keep my Sabbaths [; ]. I am the Lord your God.


text:
“‘Do not ·worship [turn to] idols or make ·statues of gods [cast images] for yourselves [; ]. I am the Lord your God.


text:
“‘When you sacrifice a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] to the Lord, offer it in such a way that will be accepted.


text:
You may eat it the same day you offer it or on the next day. But if any is left on the third day, you must burn it ·up [with fire].


text:
Anyone who eats it then will ·be guilty of sin [bear iniquity], because he ·did not respect [profaned] the holy things that belong to the Lord. He must be cut off from the people.


text:
“‘When you harvest your crops on your land, do not harvest all the way to the corners of your fields. If grain falls onto the ground, don’t gather it up.


text:
Don’t pick all the grapes in your vineyards, and don’t pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. You must leave those things for poor people and for ·people traveling through your country [resident aliens; ; ]. I am the Lord your God.


text:
You must not make a false promise by my name, or you will ·show that you don’t respect [profane the name of] your God. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘You must not ·cheat [oppress] your neighbor or rob him. You must not keep a hired worker’s salary all night until morning [; ].


text:
You must not ·curse [or belittle] a deaf person or put ·something [a stumbling block] in front of a blind person to make him fall []. But you must ·respect [fear; ] your God. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘·Be fair in your judging [Do not render perverted judgment]. You must not show ·special favor [partiality] to poor people or great people, but ·be fair when you [with righteousness] judge your ·neighbor [countryman; , ].


text:
You must not spread ·false stories [slander] against other people, and you must not do anything that would ·put your neighbor’s life in danger [stand against the blood of your neighbor]. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘You must not hate your ·fellow citizen [brother] in your heart. ·If your ·neighbor [countryman] does something wrong, tell him about it [You must reprove your brother], or you will be partly to blame.


text:
·Forget about the wrong things people do to you, and do not try to get even [You should not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people]. Love your neighbor as you love yourself [; ; , ; ]. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘·Obey [Keep; Guard] my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements]. You must not ·mate [breed] two different kinds of ·cattle [animals] or sow your field with two different kinds of seed. You must not wear clothing made from two different kinds of material mixed together.


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations [lies] with a slave girl ·of [betrothed to] another man, but this slave girl has not been ·bought [ransomed] or given her freedom, there must be ·punishment [an inquiry]. But they are not to be put to death, because the woman was not free.


text:
The man must bring a ·male sheep [ram] as his ·penalty [guilt; reparation; ] offering to the Lord at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
The priest will offer the ·sheep [ram] as a ·penalty [guilt; reparation; ] offering before the Lord for the man’s sin, ·to remove the sins of the man so he will belong to the Lord […and make atonement for him]. Then he will be forgiven for his sin.


text:
“‘In the future, when you enter your country, you will plant many kinds of trees for food. ·After planting a tree, wait three years before using its fruit [You should regard its fruit as uncircumcised for three years; do not eat it].


text:
Then in the fifth year, you may eat the fruit from the tree. The tree will then produce more fruit for you. I am the Lord your God.


text:
“‘You must not eat anything with the blood in it []. “‘You must not try to tell the future by signs or ·black magic [divination; ].


text:
“‘You must not cut the hair on ·the sides of your heads [your temples] or cut the edges of your beard.


text:
You must not cut your body for the dead [a pagan sign of mourning; ; ; ] or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘Do not ·dishonor [profane] your daughter by making her become a prostitute. If you do this, the country will be ·filled [prostituted] with all kinds of sin.


text:
“‘·Obey [Keep; Guard] ·the laws about Sabbaths [my Sabbaths], and ·respect [reverence] my ·Most Holy Place [sanctuary]. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘Do not ·go [turn] to mediums or ·fortune-tellers [wizards] ·for advice [and do not seek them], or you will become unclean [in a ritual sense]. I am the Lord your God.


text:
“‘Show respect to old people; stand up in their presence [; ]. ·Show respect also to [Fear] your God. I am the Lord.


text:
but treat them just as you treat your own ·citizens [natives]. Love ·foreigners [resident aliens] as you love yourselves, because you were ·foreigners [sojourners; wanderers; resident aliens; ; ] one time in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.


text:
“‘Do not ·cheat [do injustice] when you measure the length or weight or ·amount of something [quantity; capacity; ; ; ].


text:
Your weights and balances should weigh ·correctly [honestly], with your weighing baskets the right size and your jars holding the right amount of liquid. I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of the land of Egypt.


text:
“‘·Remember [Keep; Guard] all my ·laws [statutes; regulations; requirements] and ·rules [regulations], and obey them. I am the Lord.’”


text:
“You must also tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel these things: ‘If a person in your country gives one of his children to Molech [], that person must be ·killed [put to death]. It doesn’t matter if he is a ·citizen [son of Israel] or a ·foreigner living [resident alien sojourning] in Israel; you must ·throw stones at [stone] him and ·kill him [put him to death].


text:
I will be against him and cut him off from his people, because he gave his children to Molech. He showed that he ·did not respect [profaned] my holy name, and he made my ·Holy Place [sanctuary] unclean.


text:
The people of the ·community [land] might ·ignore [close their eyes to; or connive with] that person and not kill the one who gave his children to Molech.


text:
But I will ·be [set my face] against him and his family, and I will cut him off from his people. I will do this to anyone who follows him in ·being unfaithful to me [prostituting himself] by worshiping Molech.


text:
“‘I will ·be [set my face] against anyone who ·goes [turns] to mediums and ·fortune-tellers [wizards] for advice, because that person is ·being unfaithful to [prostituting himself against] me. So I will cut him off from his people.


text:
·Remember [Keep; Guard] and obey my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements]. I am the Lord, and I have ·made you holy [consecrated you].


text:
“‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother, so he has brought his own ·death [blood] on himself [; ].


text:
Punishments for Sexual Sins “‘If a man ·has sexual relations [commits adultery] with his neighbor’s wife, both the ·man and the woman are guilty of adultery and [adulterer and the adulteress] must be put to death [; ].


text:
If a man ·has sexual relations [lies] with his father’s wife, ·he has shamed [exposing/revealing the nakedness of] his father, and both the man and his father’s wife must be put to death. They have brought ·it [blood] on themselves [; ].


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations [lies] with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. What they have done is ·not natural [perverted]. They have brought ·their own deaths [blood] on themselves.


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations [lies] with another man as a man does with a woman, these two men have ·done a hateful sin [committed an abomination]. They must be put to death. They have brought ·it [blood] on themselves [].


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations with [or marries; takes] both a woman and her mother, this is ·evil [lewd; depraved]. The people must burn that man and the two women in fire so that your people will not be ·evil [lewd; depraved].


text:
“‘If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death. You must also kill the animal.


text:
If a woman approaches an animal and has sexual relations with it, you must kill the woman and the animal. They must be put to death. They have brought ·it [blood] on themselves [; ; ].


text:
“‘It is shameful for a brother to ·marry [take] his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and ·to have sexual relations with her [he sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness]. In front of everyone they must both be cut off from their people. The man has ·shamed [exposed/revealed the nakedness of] his sister, and he is guilty of sin [].


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations [lies] with a woman during her monthly period, both the woman and the man must be cut off from their people. They sinned because ·they showed the source of her blood [he uncovered her fountain and she has revealed the fountain of her blood; ].


text:
“‘Do not ·have sexual relations with [uncover the nakedness of] your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, because that would ·shame a close relative [expose one’s own flesh]. Both of you are guilty of this sin [].


text:
“‘If a man ·has sexual relations [lies] with his uncle’s wife, he has ·shamed [exposed/revealed the nakedness of] his uncle. That man and his uncle’s wife will die without children; they are guilty of sin.


text:
“‘It is unclean [in a ritual sense] for a man to ·marry [take] his brother’s wife. That man has ·shamed [exposed/revealed the nakedness of] his brother, and they will have no children [].


text:
“‘·Remember [Keep; Guard] all my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·rules [regulations], and obey them. I am leading you to your own land, and if you obey my laws and rules, that land will not ·throw [vomit] you out.


text:
I am ·forcing [driving] out ahead of you the people who live there. Because they did all these sins, I have hated them. Do not live ·the way those people lived [according to the statutes/ordinances/requirements of that nation].


text:
“‘I have told you that you will ·get [inherit] their land, which I will give to you as your ·very own [possession]; it is a ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; ]. I am the Lord your God, and I have set you apart from other people and made you my own.


text:
So you must treat clean [in a ritual sense] animals and birds differently from unclean animals and birds. Do not make yourselves detestable by any of these unclean birds or animals or things that crawl on the ground, which I have made unclean for you [].


text:
So you must be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from other people to be my own.


text:
“‘A man or woman who is a medium or a ·fortune-teller [wizard] must be put to death. You must stone them to death; they have brought ·it [blood] on themselves [; ].’”


text:
How Priests Must Behave The Lord said to Moses, “Tell these things to Aaron’s sons, the priests: ‘A priest must not make himself unclean [in a ritual sense] ·by touching a dead person [for a death among his people/relatives].


text:
·But if the dead person was one of his close relatives, he may touch him […except for a close relative]. The priest may make himself unclean if the dead person is his mother or father, son or daughter, brother or


text:
·unmarried [virgin] sister who is close to him because she has no husband. The priest may make himself unclean for her if she dies.


text:
But a priest must not make himself unclean ·if the dead person was only related to him by marriage [as a husband among his people].


text:
“‘Priests must not shave their heads, or shave off the edges of their beards, or cut their bodies [as pagan priests often did].


text:
They must be holy to their God and ·show respect for [not defile] God’s name, because they present the offerings made by fire to the Lord, which is the food of their God. So they must be holy [].


text:
“‘A priest must not marry ·a defiled prostitute [or a prostitute or a defiled woman] or a divorced woman, because he is holy to his God.


text:
Treat him as holy, because he offers up the food of your God. Think of him as holy; I am the Lord who ·makes you holy [consecrates/sanctifies you], and I am holy.


text:
“‘If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by becoming a prostitute, she ·shames [defiles] her father. She must be burned with fire.


text:
“‘The high priest, who was ·chosen from among his brothers [exalted among his brothers], had the ·special [anointing] olive oil poured on his head. He was also ·appointed [consecrated] to wear the priestly clothes. So he must not let his hair go uncombed or tear his clothes [signs of mourning].


text:
He must not go into a house where there is a dead body. He must not make himself unclean [in a ritual sense], even if it is for his own father or mother.


text:
The high priest must not go out of the ·Holy Place [sanctuary], because if he does and becomes ·unclean [defiled], he will make God’s ·Holy Place [sanctuary] unclean. The ·special oil used in appointing priests [anointing oil] was poured on his head to separate him from the rest of the people. I am the Lord.


text:
He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or ·a defiled prostitute [or a defiled woman or a prostitute; ]. He must marry a virgin from his own people


text:
so ·the people will respect his children as his own [he will not defile his children]. I am the Lord. I have ·set the high priest apart for his special job [sanctified/consecrated him].’”


text:
“Tell Aaron: ‘If any of your descendants have ·something wrong with them [a blemish], they must never come near to offer the special food of their God.


text:
Anyone who has ·something wrong with him [a blemish] must not come near: blind men, crippled men, men with damaged faces, deformed men,


text:
hunchbacks, dwarfs, men who have something wrong with their eyes, men who have an itching disease or a skin disease, or men who ·have damaged testicles [are eunuchs; ].


text:
“‘If one of Aaron’s descendants has ·something wrong with him [a blemish], he cannot come near to make the offerings made by fire to the Lord. He has ·something wrong with him [a blemish]; he cannot offer the food of his God.


text:
But he may not go through the curtain into the ·Most Holy Place [sanctuary], and he may not go near the altar, because he has ·something wrong with him [a blemish]. He must not defile my ·Holy Place [sanctuary]. I am the Lord who makes these places holy.’”


text:
“Tell Aaron and his sons: ‘The ·people [sons; children] of Israel will give offerings to me. These offerings are ·holy, and they are mine [consecrated/sanctified to me], so you must ·respect [be scrupulous with] them to show that you ·respect [do not defile] my holy name. I am the Lord.’


text:
Say to them: ‘If any one of your descendants ·from now on [throughout your generations] is unclean [in a ritual sense] and comes near the offerings that the Israelites ·made holy for [consecrated/sanctified to] me, that person must be cut off from appearing before me. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘If one of Aaron’s descendants has a harmful skin disease [], or if he discharges a body fluid [], he cannot eat the holy offerings until he becomes clean [in a ritual sense]. He could also become unclean from touching a dead body, from his own semen,


text:
from touching any unclean crawling animal, or from touching an unclean person (no matter what made the person unclean).


text:
Anyone who touches those things will become unclean until evening. That person must not eat the holy offerings unless he washes with water.


text:
He will be clean only after the sun goes down. Then he may eat the holy offerings; the offerings are his food.


text:
“‘If a priest finds an animal that died by itself or that was killed by some other animal, he must not eat it. If he does, he will become unclean [in a ritual sense]. I am the Lord [; ].


text:
“‘If the priests ·keep [guard] all the rules I have given, they will not become guilty; ·if they are careful, they will not die [or…and die in it/the sanctuary because they defiled it]. I am the Lord who has made them holy.


text:
·Only people in a priest’s family [No stranger/layperson] may eat the holy offering. A visitor staying with the priest or a hired worker must not eat it.


text:
But if the priest buys a slave with his own money, that slave may eat the holy offerings; ·slaves [those] who were born in his house may also eat his food.


text:
If a priest’s daughter marries a ·person who is not a priest [layperson; stranger], she must not eat any of the holy offerings.


text:
But if the priest’s daughter becomes widowed or divorced, with no children to support her, and if she goes back to her father’s house where she lived as a child, she may eat some of her father’s food. But ·only people from a priest’s family [no layperson/stranger] may eat this food.


text:
“‘If someone eats some of the holy offering by mistake, that person must pay back the priest for that holy food, adding another one-fifth of the price of that food.


text:
“‘When the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] give their holy offerings to the Lord, ·the priest must not treat these holy things as though they were not holy [no one will profane them].


text:
The priests must not allow those who are not priests to eat the holy offerings. If they do, they cause the ones who eat the holy offerings to become guilty, and they will have to ·pay for it [offer a penalty/guilt/reparation offering; ]. I am the Lord, who makes them holy.’”


text:
“Tell Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel: ‘A ·citizen of [person from the house of] Israel or a ·foreigner living [sojourner; wanderer; resident alien] in Israel might want to bring a whole burnt offering [], either for ·some special promise he has made [a vow] or for a ·special gift he wants to give [freewill offering] to the Lord.


text:
If he does, he must bring a male animal that has ·nothing wrong with it [no blemish]—a bull, a sheep, or a goat—so it might be accepted for him.


text:
He must not bring an animal that has ·something wrong with it [a blemish], or it will not be accepted for him.


text:
“‘If someone brings a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] to the Lord, either as ·payment [fulfillment] for a ·special promise the person has made [vow] or as a ·special gift the person wants to give the Lord [freewill offering], it might be from the herd or from the flock. But it must be ·healthy [perfect], with ·nothing wrong with it [no blemish], so that it will be accepted.


text:
You must not offer to the Lord any animal that is blind, that has broken bones or is crippled, that has running sores or any sort of ·skin disease [itch or scabs]. You must not offer any animals like these on the altar as an offering by fire to the Lord.


text:
“‘If an ox or lamb ·is smaller than normal [or has a short tail] or is not perfectly formed, you may give it as a ·special gift to the Lord [freewill offering]; it will be accepted. But it will not be accepted as payment for a ·special promise you have made [vow].


text:
“‘If an animal has bruised, crushed, torn, or cut testicles, you must not offer it to the Lord. You must not do this in your own land,


text:
and you must not ·take [get] such animals from foreigners as sacrifices to the Lord. Because the animals have been hurt in some way and have ·something wrong with them [blemishes], they will not be accepted for you.’”


text:
“When an ox, a sheep, or a goat is born, it must stay seven days with its mother. But from the eighth day on, this animal will be accepted as a sacrifice by fire to the Lord.


text:
But you must not ·kill [slaughter] the animal and its mother on the same day, either an ox or a sheep.


text:
“If you want to offer ·some special offering of thanks [a thank offering] to the Lord, you must do it in a way that pleases him.


text:
You must eat the whole animal that same day and not leave any of the meat for the next morning. I am the Lord.


text:
·Show respect for [Do not defile] my holy name. ·You Israelites must remember that I am holy [I must be sanctified/considered holy among the sons/children of Israel]; I am the Lord, who has ·made you holy [consecrated/sanctified you].


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: ‘You will announce the Lord’s appointed ·feasts [festivals] as holy ·meetings [convocations]. These are my special ·feasts [festivals].


text:
The Sabbath “‘There are six days for you to work, but the seventh day will be a special day of rest. It is a day for a holy ·meeting [convocation]; you must not do any work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your homes [; ; ; ; ].


text:
The Passover and Unleavened Bread “‘These are the Lord’s appointed ·feasts [festivals], the holy ·meetings [convocations], which you will announce at the times set for them.


text:
The ·Feast [Festival] of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day of the same month. You will eat bread made without ·yeast [leaven] for seven days.


text:
On the first day of this ·feast [festival] you will have a holy ·meeting [convocation], and you must not do any work.


text:
For seven days you will bring an offering made by fire to the Lord. There will be a holy ·meeting [convocation] on the seventh day, and on that day you must not do any regular work [, ; ; ; ].’”


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: ‘You will enter the land I will give you and gather its harvest. At that time you must bring the first bundle of grain from your harvest to the priest.


text:
The priest will ·present [wave] the bundle before the Lord, and it will be accepted for you; he will ·present [wave] the bundle on the day after the Sabbath.


text:
“‘On the day when you ·present [wave; ] the bundle of grain, offer a male lamb, one year old, that ·has nothing wrong with it [is perfect], as a burnt offering [] to the Lord.


text:
You must also offer a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []—·four quarts [two tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil as an offering made by fire to the Lord; its smell will be pleasing to him. You must also offer ·a quart [one-fourth of a hin] of wine as a drink offering.


text:
Until the day you bring your offering to your God, do not eat any new grain, roasted grain, or bread made from new grain. This ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] will always continue ·for people from now on [throughout your generations], wherever you live [; ; ].


text:
The Feast of Weeks “‘Count seven full weeks from the morning after the Sabbath. (This is the Sabbath that you bring the bundle of grain to ·present [wave] as an offering [a ritual whereby the offerer symbolically waves the offering before God but then uses it].)


text:
On the fiftieth day, the first day after the seventh week, you will bring a new grain offering to the Lord.


text:
On that day bring two loaves of bread from your homes to be ·presented [waved] as an offering. Use yeast and ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah] of flour to make those loaves of bread; they will be your gift to the Lord from the first wheat of your harvest.


text:
“‘Offer with the bread one young bull, two male sheep, and seven male lambs that are one year old and have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. Offer them with their ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [] and drink offerings, as a burnt offering [] to the Lord. They will be an offering made by fire, and the smell will be pleasing to the Lord.


text:
You must also offer one male goat for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering and two male, one-year-old lambs as a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [].


text:
“‘The priest will ·present [wave; ] the two lambs as an offering before the Lord, along with the bread from the first wheat of the harvest. They are holy to the Lord, and they will belong to the priest.


text:
On that same day you will call a holy ·meeting [convocation]; you must not do any work that day. This ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] will continue for you ·from now on [throughout your generations], wherever you live.


text:
“‘When you harvest your crops on your land, do not harvest all the way to the corners of your field. If grain falls onto the ground, don’t gather it up. Leave it for poor people and ·foreigners in your country [resident aliens; ; ; ]. I am the Lord your God.’”


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons] of Israel: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you must have a special day of rest, a holy ·meeting [convocation], when you blow the trumpet for a special time of remembering.


text:
“The Day of ·Cleansing [Atonement] will be on the tenth day of the seventh month. There will be a holy ·meeting [convocation], and you will deny yourselves and bring an offering made by fire to the Lord.


text:
Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of ·Cleansing [Atonement]. On that day the priests will go before the Lord and ·perform the acts to make you clean from sin so you will belong to the Lord [make atonement for you].


text:
“Anyone who ·refuses to give up food [or does not deny himself] on this day must be cut off from the people.


text:
You must not do any work at all; this ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] will continue ·for people from now on [throughout your generations] wherever you live.


text:
It will be a special day of rest for you, and you must ·deny yourselves [or fast]. You will start this special day of rest on the evening after the ninth day of the month, and it will continue from that evening until the next evening [; ].”


text:
“Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month is the ·Feast [Festival] of ·Shelters [Booths]. This ·feast [festival] to the Lord will continue for seven days.


text:
You will bring an offering made by fire to the Lord each day for seven days. On the eighth day you will have another holy ·meeting [convocation], and you will bring an offering made by fire to the Lord. This will be a holy ·meeting [convocation]; do not do any work.


text:
(“‘These are the Lord’s special ·feasts [festivals], when there will be holy ·meetings [convocations] and when you bring offerings made by fire to the Lord. You will bring whole burnt offerings [], ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [], sacrifices, and drink offerings—each at the right time.


text:
These offerings are in addition to those for the Lord’s Sabbath days, in addition to offerings you give as payment for ·special promises [vows], and in addition to ·special offerings you want to give to the Lord [freewill offerings].)


text:
“‘So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered in the crops of the land, celebrate the Lord’s ·festival [feast] for seven days. You must rest on the first day and the eighth day.


text:
On the first day you will take good fruit from the fruit trees, as well as branches from palm trees, poplars, and other leafy trees. You will celebrate before the Lord your God for seven days.


text:
Celebrate this ·festival [feast] to the Lord for seven days each year. This ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] will continue ·from now on [throughout your generations]; you will celebrate it in the seventh month.


text:
Live in ·shelters [booths] for seven days. All the people born in Israel must live in ·shelters [booths]


text:
so that all your descendants will know I made Israel live in ·shelters [booths] during the time I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God [; ; ; ].’”


text:
“Command the ·people [sons; children] of Israel to bring you pure oil from crushed olives. That oil is for the lamps so that these lamps may never go out.


text:
Aaron will keep the lamps burning in the Meeting Tent from evening until morning before the Lord; this is ·in front of [outside] the curtain of the ·Ark of the Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; Testimony]. This ·law [statute; ordinance; regulation] will continue ·from now on [throughout your generations].


text:
Aaron must always keep the lamps burning on the ·lampstand of pure gold [pure lampstand/Menorah; ] before the Lord.


text:
“Take ·fine [choice] flour and bake twelve loaves of bread with it, using ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah] of flour for each loaf.


text:
Put pure incense on each row as the memorial portion to take the place of the bread. It is an offering made by fire to the Lord.


text:
Every Sabbath day Aaron will put the bread in order before the Lord, as an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with the people of Israel that will continue forever.


text:
That bread will belong to Aaron and his sons. They will eat it in a holy place, because it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the Lord. That bread is their share forever.”


text:
The Man Who Cursed God Now there was a son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian father who ·was walking [came out] among the Israelites. A fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite.


text:
The son of the Israelite woman began cursing and ·speaking against the Lord [blaspheming the name], so the people took him to Moses. (The mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri from the family of Dan.)


text:
The people ·held him as a prisoner [put him in custody] while they waited for the Lord’s ·command [decision; will] to be made clear to them.


text:
“Take the one who ·spoke against [cursed; blasphemed] me outside the camp. Then all the people who heard him must put their hands on his head, and all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation] must ·throw stones at him and kill [stone] him.


text:
Tell the ·people [sons; children] of Israel this: ‘If anyone curses his God, he is guilty of sin [; ].


text:
Anyone who ·speaks against [curses/blasphemes the name of] the Lord must be put to death; all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation] must ·kill him by throwing stones at [stone] him. ·Foreigners [Sojourners; Wanderers; Resident aliens] must be punished just like ·the people born in Israel [natives]; if they ·speak against the Lord [curse/blaspheme the name], they must be put to death.


text:
Whoever ·kills [strikes] an animal that belongs to another person must give that person another animal to take its place.


text:
And whoever causes an injury to a ·neighbor [countryman] must receive the same kind of injury in return:


text:
Broken bone for broken bone, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Anyone who injures another person must be injured in the same way in return [].


text:
Whoever ·kills [strikes] another person’s animal must give that person another animal to take its place. But whoever ·kills [strikes] another person must be put to death.


text:
“‘The ·law [regulation; standard] will be the same for the ·foreigner [sojouner; wanderer; resident alien] as for ·those from your own country [the native]. I am the Lord your God.’”


text:
Then Moses spoke to the ·people [sons; children] of Israel, and they took the person who had cursed outside the camp and ·killed him by throwing stones at [stoned] him. So the ·people [sons; children] of Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
“Tell the people of Israel this: ‘When you enter the land I will give you, let it have a ·special time of rest, to honor [sabbath to/for] the Lord.


text:
You may plant seed in your field for six years, and you may trim your vineyards for six years and bring in their fruits.


text:
But during the seventh year, you must let the land ·rest [have a sabbath]. This will be a ·special time to honor [sabbath to/for] the Lord. You must not plant seed in your field or ·trim [prune] your vineyards.


text:
You must not cut the crops that grow by themselves after harvest, or gather the grapes from your vines that are not ·trimmed [pruned]. The land will have a ·year of rest [sabbath].


text:
“‘You may eat whatever the land produces during that ·year of rest [sabbath]. It will be food for your men and women servants, for your hired workers, and for the ·foreigners living in your country [sojourners; wanderers; resident aliens].


text:
It will also be food for your cattle and the wild animals of your land. Whatever the land produces may be eaten.


text:
The Year of Jubilee “‘Count off seven groups of seven years, [seven times seven years] or forty-nine years. During that time there will be seven ·years of rest [sabbatical years; ] for the land.


text:
On the Day of ·Cleansing [Atonement; ], you must blow the horn of a ·male sheep [ram]; this will be on the tenth day of the seventh month. You must blow the horn through the whole country.


text:
Make the fiftieth year a ·special [consecrated; holy] year, and announce ·freedom [liberty] for all the people living in your country. This time will be called Jubilee [a word related to the Hebrew for “ram’s horn”]. You will each go back to your own property, each to your own family and family group.


text:
The fiftieth year will be a special time for you to celebrate. Don’t plant seeds, or harvest the crops that grow by themselves, or gather grapes from the vines that are not ·trimmed [pruned].


text:
That year is Jubilee; it will be a holy time for you. You may eat only the crops that come from the field.


text:
“‘If you sell your land to your ·neighbor [countryman], or if you buy land from your ·neighbor [countryman], don’t ·cheat [mistreat; exploit] each other.


text:
If you want to buy your ·neighbor’s [countryman’s] land, count the number of years since the last Jubilee, and use that number to decide the right price. If your ·neighbor [countryman] sells the land to you, count the number of years left for harvesting crops, and use that number to decide the right price.


text:
If there are many years, the price will be high. But if there are only a few years, lower the price, because your neighbor is really selling only a few crops to you.


text:
You must not ·cheat [mistreat; exploit] ·each other [your neighbor/countryman], but you must ·respect [fear] your God. I am the Lord your God.


text:
“‘·Remember [Observe] my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·rules [regulations], and ·obey [keep; guard] them so that you will live ·safely [securely] in the land.


text:
The land will give ·good crops [its fruit] to you, and you will eat as much as you want and live ·safely [securely] in the land.


text:
I will ·send [command for] you such a great blessing during the sixth year that the land will produce enough crops for three years.


text:
When you plant in the eighth year, you will still be eating from the old crop; you will eat the old crop until the harvest of the ninth year.


text:
Property Laws “‘The land really belongs to me, so you can’t sell it ·for all time [in perpetuity]. You are only ·foreigners [sojourners; wanderers; resident aliens] and ·travelers living for a while on my land [tenants with me].


text:
·People might sell their land, but it must always be possible for the family to get its land back [Throughout all the land of your possession, you must allow for redemption of the land].


text:
If ·a person in your country [your brother/kinsman] becomes very poor and sells some land, then close relatives ·must [or can] come and ·buy it back [redeem what his brother/kinsman has sold].


text:
If there is not a ·close relative to buy the land back [redeemer], but if the person ·makes enough money to be able to buy it back [prospers and he is able to redeem it],


text:
the years must be ·counted [calculated] since the land was sold. That number must be used to decide how much the first owner should pay back the one who bought it. Then the land will belong to the first owner again.


text:
But if there is not enough money to buy it back, the one who bought it will keep it until the year of Jubilee. During that celebration, the land will go back to the first owner’s family.


text:
“‘If someone sells a home in a walled city, for a full year after it is sold, the person has the right to ·buy it back [redeem it].


text:
But if the owner does not ·buy back the house [redeem it] before a full year is over, it will belong to the one who bought it ·and to his future sons [in perpetuity, throughout his generations]. The house will not go back to the first owner at Jubilee.


text:
But houses in ·small towns [villages] without walls are like open ·country [fields]; they can be ·bought back [redeemed], and they must be returned to their first owner at Jubilee.


text:
If someone buys a house from a Levite, that house in the Levites’ city will again belong to the Levites in the Jubilee. This is because houses in Levite cities belong to the people of Levi; ·the Israelites gave these cities to them [for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession in the midst of the sons/children of Israel; ; ].


text:
Also the ·fields and pastures [open land] around the Levites’ cities cannot be sold, because ·those fields belong to the Levites [that is their possession] forever.


text:
Rules for Slave Owners “‘If ·anyone from your country [your brother/kinsman] becomes too poor ·to support himself [or and dependent on you], ·help [support] him to live among you as you would a ·stranger [sojourner/wanderer/resident alien] or ·foreigner [or tenant].


text:
Do not charge him any interest on money ·you loan to him [or try to make a profit; ; ], but ·respect [fear] your God; let ·the poor [your brother/kinsman] live among you.


text:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give the land of Canaan to you and to become your God.


text:
“‘If ·anyone from your country [your brother/kinsman] becomes very poor and sells himself as a slave to you, you must not make him work like a slave [; ].


text:
This is because the Israelites are my servants, and I brought them out of slavery in Egypt. They must not become slaves again.


text:
You must not ·rule this person [exercise dominion; ] cruelly, but you must ·respect [fear] your God.


text:
Also you may buy as slaves children from the families of ·strangers [sojourners/wanderers/resident aliens] or ·foreigners [or tenants] living in your land. ·These child slaves will belong to you [Those born in your land will be your property],


text:
and you may even ·pass them on to your children after you die [will them to your children]; you can make them slaves forever. But you must not ·rule [exercise dominion] cruelly over your own ·people [brothers; kinsmen], the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
“‘Suppose a ·stranger [sojourner/wanderer/resident alien] or ·foreigner [or tenant] among you becomes rich. If ·someone in your country [a brother/kinsman] becomes so poor that he has to sell himself as a slave to the ·foreigner [sojourner; wanderer; resident alien] living among you or to a member of the ·foreigner’s [sojourner’s; wanderer’s; resident alien’s] family,


text:
·the poor person has the right to be bought back and become free [after he is sold he has the right of redemption]. One of his relatives may ·buy him back [redeem him]:


text:
His uncle, his uncle’s son, or any one of his close relatives may ·buy him back [redeem him]. Or, if he gets enough money, he may pay the money to ·free [redeem] himself.


text:
“‘He and the one who bought him must ·count [calculate] the time from when he sold himself up to the next year of Jubilee. Use that number to decide the price, because the person really only hired himself out for a certain number of years.


text:
If there are still many years before the year of Jubilee, the person must ·pay back [redeem] a large part of the price.


text:
If there are only a few years left until Jubilee, the person must pay a small part of the first price.


text:
But he will live like a hired person with ·the foreigner [him] every year; don’t let the ·foreigner [him] ·rule [exercise dominion] cruelly over him.


text:
“‘Even if no one ·buys him back [redeems him], at the year of Jubilee, he and his children will ·become free [go out].


text:
This is because the ·people [sons; children] of Israel are servants to me. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.


text:
Rewards for Obeying God “‘Don’t make idols for yourselves or set up ·statues [carved images] or ·memorials [pillars]. Don’t put stone statues in your land to bow down to, because I am the Lord your God [; ; ].


text:
“‘·Remember [Keep; Guard] my Sabbaths, and ·respect [fear] my ·Holy Place [sanctuary; , ; ; ; ]. I am the Lord.


text:
“‘If you ·remember [keep; guard] my ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands and obey them,


text:
I will give you rains at the right season []; the land will produce crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.


text:
Your threshing will continue until the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will continue until it is time to plant. Then you will have plenty to eat and live ·safely [securely] in your land.


text:
I will give peace to your country; you will lie down ·in peace, and no one will make you afraid [and not be afraid]. I will keep ·harmful [dangerous] animals out of your country, and ·armies [the sword] will not pass through it.


text:
“‘You will ·chase [pursue] your enemies and ·defeat them, killing them with your [they will fall before you by the] sword.


text:
Five of you will ·chase [pursue] a hundred men; a hundred of you will ·chase [pursue] ten thousand men [; ; ]. ·You will defeat your enemies and kill them with your [They will fall before you by the] sword.


text:
“‘Then I will ·show kindness to [turn toward] you and ·let you have many children [I will make you fruitful and multiply you]; I will ·keep my agreement [establish my covenant/treaty] with you.


text:
You will ·have enough crops to last for more than a year [old grain long stored]. When you harvest the new crops, you will have to throw out the old ones to make room for them.


text:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. I broke the ·heavy weights that were on your shoulders [bars of your yoke] and let you walk ·proudly [erect; standing tall] again.


text:
Punishment for Not Obeying God “‘But if you do not ·obey [keep; guard] me and ·keep [obey] all my commands,


text:
and if you ·turn away from [disdain] my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and ·hate [abhor] my ·laws [regulations], refusing to obey all my commands, you have broken our ·agreement [covenant; treaty].


text:
As a result, I will do this to you: I will ·cause terrible things to happen to [bring dread/terror on] you. I will cause you to have disease and fever that will destroy your eyes and slowly kill you. You will not have success when you plant your seed, and your enemy will eat your crops.


text:
I will ·be [set my face] against you, and your enemies will defeat you. These people who hate you will ·rule [exercise dominion] over you, and you will run away even when no one is ·chasing [pursuing] you.


text:
“‘If after all this you still do not ·obey [listen to] me, I will ·punish [discipline] you seven times more for your sins.


text:
I will break your great pride, and I will make the sky like iron and the earth like bronze [there would be no rain].


text:
·You will work hard, but it will not help [Your strength will be for no purpose]. Your land will not grow any crops, and your trees will not give their fruit.


text:
“‘If you still turn against me and refuse to ·obey [listen to] me, I will ·beat [strike] you seven times harder. The more you sin, the more you will be punished.


text:
I will send wild animals to attack you, and they will ·take your children away from you and destroy [bereave you and cut off] your cattle. They will make you so few in number the roads will be empty.


text:
You broke my agreement, and I will ·punish [have my revenge against] you. I will bring ·armies [the sword] against you, and if you go into your cities for safety, I will cause ·diseases [plagues] to spread among you so that ·your enemy will defeat you [you will be given into the enemy’s hand].


text:
·There will be very little bread to eat; [When I break your staff of bread,] ten women will ·be able to cook all [bake] your bread in one oven. They will measure [by weight] each piece of bread, and you will eat, but you will ·still be hungry [not be satisfied].


text:
I will ·show [turn against you with] my great anger; I will ·punish [discipline] you seven more times for your sins.


text:
I will destroy your ·places where gods are worshiped [high places] and cut down your incense altars. I will pile your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols []. I will ·hate [abhor] you.


text:
I will ·destroy your cities [make your cities a ruin] and make your holy places ·empty [desolate], and I will not smell the pleasing smell of your offerings.


text:
I will make the land ·empty [desolate] so that your enemies who come to live in it will be shocked at it.


text:
I will scatter you among the nations, and I will pull out my sword and destroy you. Your land will become empty, your cities a ·waste [ruin].


text:
When you are taken to your enemy’s country, your land will finally get its ·rest [sabbath; ]. It will enjoy its ·time of rest [sabbath] all the time it lies empty.


text:
During the time the land is empty, it will have the ·rest [sabbath] you should have given it while you lived in it [].


text:
“‘Those of you who are left alive will ·lose their courage [place despondency in their hearts] in the land of their enemies. ·They will be frightened by the sound of a leaf being blown by the wind [The sound of a driven leaf will make them flee]. They will ·run [flee] as if someone were chasing them with a sword, and they will fall even when no one is ·chasing [pursuing] them.


text:
They will fall over ·each other [their brother/kinsman], as if ·someone were chasing them with [before] a sword, even though no one is ·chasing [pursuing] them. You will not be strong enough to stand up against your enemies.


text:
You will ·die [perish] among other nations and ·disappear in your enemies’ countries [the land of your enemies will consume you].


text:
So those who are left alive will ·rot [or pine] away in their enemies’ countries because of their sins. They will also ·rot [or pine] away because of their ·ancestors’ [fathers’] sins.


text:
There Is Always Hope “‘But maybe the people will confess their sins and the sins of their ·ancestors [fathers]; maybe they will admit they turned against me and ·sinned [committed treachery] against me,


text:
which made me turn against them and send them into the land of their enemies. If ·these disobedient people [their uncircumcised hearts; ; ; ] are ·sorry for what they did [humbled] and accept punishment for their sin,


text:
I will remember my ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with Jacob [], my ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with Isaac [], and my ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with Abraham [; ; ], and I will remember the land.


text:
The land will be ·left empty by its people [forsaken/abandoned of them], and it will enjoy its ·time of rest [sabbath; ] as it lies ·bare [desolate] without them. Then those who are left alive will accept the punishment for their sins. They will learn that they were punished because they ·hated [disdained] my ·laws [regulations] and ·refused to obey [abhorred] my ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements].


text:
But even though this is true, I will not ·turn away from [disdain] them when they are in the land of their enemies. I will not ·hate [abhor] them so much that I completely destroy them and break my ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with them, because I am the Lord their God.


text:
For their good I will remember the ·agreement with their ancestors [former covenant/treaty], whom I brought out of the land of Egypt [the covenant with Moses; ] so I could become their God; the other nations saw these things. I am the Lord.’”


text:
These are the ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements], ·rules [regulations], and ·teachings [laws; instructions] the Lord made between himself and the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai.


text:
“Speak to the ·people [sons; children] of Israel and tell them: ‘If someone makes a ·special promise [vow] ·to give a person as a servant to the Lord by paying a price that is the same value as that person [concerning an equivalent for a person; a person, such as a child or a slave, could be given for God’s service, or money paid instead to fulfill the vow],


text:
the ·price [equivalent] for a man twenty to sixty years old is about ·one and one-fourth pounds [fifty shekels] of silver. (You must use the measure as set by the ·Holy Place [sanctuary].)


text:
The ·price [equivalent] for a woman twenty to sixty years old is about ·twelve ounces [thirty shekels] of silver.


text:
The ·price [equivalent] for a man five to twenty years old is about ·eight ounces [twenty shekels] of silver; for a woman it is about ·four ounces [ten shekels] of silver.


text:
The ·price [equivalent] for a baby boy one month to five years old is about ·two ounces [five shekels] of silver; for a baby girl the price is about ·one and one-half ounces [three shekels] of silver.


text:
The ·price [equivalent] for a man sixty years old or older is about ·six ounces [fifteen shekels] of silver; for a woman it is about ·four ounces [ten shekels] of silver.


text:
“‘If anyone is too poor to pay the ·price [equivalent], bring him to the priest, and the priest will set the price. The priest will decide how much money the person making the vow can afford to pay.


text:
Gifts to the Lord “‘Some animals may be used as ·sacrifices [gifts] to the Lord. If someone ·promises to bring [gives] one of these to the Lord, it will become holy.


text:
That person must not try to ·put another animal in its place [substitute for it] or exchange it, a good animal for a bad one, or a bad animal for a good one. If this happens, both animals will become holy.


text:
“‘Unclean [in a ritual sense] animals cannot be offered as ·sacrifices [gifts] to the Lord, and if someone brings one of them to the Lord, that animal must be brought to the priest.


text:
The priest will decide a ·price [equivalent] for the animal, according to whether it is good or bad; as the priest decides, that is the ·price [equivalent] for the animal.


text:
If the person wants to ·buy back [redeem] the animal, an additional one-fifth must be added to the ·price [equivalent].


text:
Value of a House “‘If a person ·gives [dedicates; consecrates] a house as holy to the Lord, the priest must decide its ·value [equivalent], according to whether the house is good or bad; as the priest decides, that is the ·price [equivalent] for the house.


text:
But if the person who ·gives [dedicates; consecrates] the house wants to ·buy it back [redeem it], an additional one-fifth must be added to the ·price [equivalent]. Then the house will belong to that person again.


text:
Value of Land “‘If a person ·gives [dedicates; consecrates] some family property to the Lord, the ·value [equivalent] of the fields will depend on how much seed is needed to plant them. It will cost about ·one and one-fourth pounds [fifty shekels] of silver for each ·six bushels [homer] of barley seed needed.


text:
If the person ·gives [dedicates; consecrates] a field at the year of Jubilee [], its value [equivalent] ·will stay at what the priest has decided [will stand].


text:
But if the person ·gives [dedicates; consecrates] the field after the Jubilee, the priest must ·decide [calculate] the exact ·price [equivalent] by counting the number of years to the next year of Jubilee. Then he will subtract that number from its ·value [equivalent].


text:
If the person who ·gave [dedicated; consecrated] the field wants to ·buy it back [redeem it], one-fifth must be added to that ·price [equivalent], and the field will belong to the first owner again.


text:
“‘If the person does not ·buy back [redeem] the field, or if it is sold to someone else, the first person cannot ever ·buy it back [redeem it].


text:
When the land is released at the year of Jubilee, it will become holy to the Lord, like land ·specially given [devoted] to him. It will become the property of the priests.


text:
“‘If someone ·gives [dedicates; consecrates] to the Lord a field he has bought, which is not a part of his family land,


text:
the priest must ·count [calculate] the years to the next Jubilee. He must decide the ·price [equivalent] for the land, and the ·price [equivalent] must be paid on that day. Then that land will be holy to the Lord.


text:
“‘You must use the measure as set by the ·Holy Place [sanctuary] in paying these ·prices [equivalents]; ·it weighs two-fifths of an ounce [twenty gerahs will make a shekel].


text:
Value of Animals “‘If an animal is the first one born to its parent, it already belongs to the Lord, so people may not ·give [dedicate; consecrate] it again. If it is a ·cow [ox] or a sheep, it is the Lord’s.


text:
If the animal is unclean [in a ritual sense], the person must ·buy it back [ransom it] for the ·price set by the priest [equivalent], and the person must add one-fifth to that price. If it is not ·bought back [redeemed], the priest must sell it for ·the price he had decided [its equivalent].


text:
“‘·There is a special kind of gift that people set apart to give [All devoted things that are devoted…] to the Lord; it may be a person, animal, or field from the family property. That gift cannot be ·bought back [redeemed] or sold. Every ·special kind of gift [devoted thing] is most holy to the Lord.


text:
“‘·If anyone is given for the purpose of being destroyed, he [Everyone who is devoted from among people] cannot be ·bought back [redeemed]; he must be put to death.


text:
“‘One-tenth of all crops belongs to the Lord, including the crops from fields and the fruit from trees. That one-tenth is holy to the Lord.


text:
“‘·The priest will take every [Every] tenth animal from a person’s herd or flock, ·and it [a tenth of all that passes under the shepherd’s rod,] will be holy to the Lord.


text:
The owner should not ·pick out the good animals from the bad [inquire whether they are good or bad] or exchange one animal for another. If that happens, both animals will become holy; they cannot be ·bought back [redeemed].’”


text:
These are the commands the Lord ·gave to [commanded] Moses at Mount Sinai for the ·people [sons; children] of Israel.


text:
The People of Israel Are Counted The Lord spoke to Moses in the Meeting Tent [the Tabernacle; ] in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai. This was on the first day of the second month in the second year after the Israelites left Egypt [; one year later]. He said to Moses:


text:
“You and Aaron must ·count [take a census of; lift the head of] all the ·people of Israel [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] by ·families [clans] and family groups, listing the name of each ·man [male].


text:
You and Aaron must count every man twenty years old or older who will serve in the army of Israel, and list them by their divisions [like a military registration].


text:
from the tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph—Elishama son of Ammihud; from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph—Gamaliel son of Pedahzur;


text:
These were the men chosen from the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] to be leaders of their tribes, the heads of Israel’s family groups.


text:
and ·called [assembled] all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] of Israel together on the first day of the second month. Then the people ·were listed [registered their genealogies] by their ·families [clans] and family groups, and all the ·men [males] who were twenty years old or older were listed by name.


text:
Moses did exactly what the Lord had commanded and ·listed [enrolled] the people while they were in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Reuben, the first son born to Israel [Jacob; ; ; ], ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Simeon ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Gad ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Judah ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Issachar ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Zebulun ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Ephraim, a son of Joseph, ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Manasseh, also a son of Joseph, ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Benjamin ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Dan ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Asher ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Naphtali ·was counted [according to their records/lineage]; all the men twenty years old or older who were able to serve in the army were listed by name with their ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
Moses, Aaron, and the twelve leaders of Israel, one from each of the family groups, counted these men.


text:
Every man of Israel twenty years old or older who was able to serve in the army was counted and listed with his family group.


text:
“Do not count the tribe of Levi or ·include [take a census of; lift the head of] them with the other Israelites.


text:
Instead put the Levites in charge of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; Testimony; the Ten Commandments were in the Ark in the Tabernacle; ] and everything that is with it []. They must carry the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and everything in it, and they must take care of it and make their camp around it.


text:
Any time the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] ·is moved [sets out], the Levites must take it down, and any time it is ·set up [pitched], the Levites must do it. Anyone else who goes near the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] will be put to death.


text:
The ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] will make their camps in separate divisions, each family near its ·flag [standard].


text:
But the Levites must make their camp around the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant; ] so that I will not be angry with the ·Israelites [community/ congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel]. The Levites will take care of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant; ].”


text:
“The ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] should make their camps around the Meeting Tent, but they should not camp too close to it. They should camp under their ·family flag [standard] and ·banners [ensign].”


text:
The camp of Judah will ·be [camp] on the east side, where the sun rises, and they will camp by divisions there under their ·flag [banner]. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab.


text:
Next to them the tribe of Issachar will camp. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar.


text:
Next is the tribe of Zebulun. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon.


text:
There are a total of 186,400 men in the camps of Judah and its neighbors, in all their divisions. They will be the first to march out of camp.


text:
The divisions of the camp of Reuben will be on the south side, where they will camp under their ·flag [banner]. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur.


text:
Next to them the tribe of Simeon will camp. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.


text:
Next is the tribe of Gad. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel.


text:
There are a total of 151,450 men in the camps of Reuben and its neighbors, in all their divisions. They will be the second group to march out of camp.


text:
When the camp of the Levites march out with the Meeting Tent, they will be in the middle of the other camps. The tribes will march out in the same order as they camp, each in its place under its ·flag [banner].


text:
The divisions of the camp of Ephraim will be on the west side, where they will camp under their ·flag [banner]. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud.


text:
Next to them the tribe of Manasseh will camp. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.


text:
Next is the tribe of Benjamin. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni.


text:
There are a total of 108,100 men in the camps of Ephraim and its neighbors, in all their divisions. They will be the third group to march out of camp.


text:
The divisions of the camp of Dan will be on the north side, where they will camp under their ·flag [banner]. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.


text:
Next to them the tribe of Asher will camp. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Asher is Pagiel son of Ocran.


text:
Next is the tribe of Naphtali. The leader of the ·people [sons; descendants] of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan.


text:
There are 157,600 men in the camps of Dan and its neighbors. They will be the last to march out of camp, and they will travel under their own ·flag [banner].


text:
These are the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] who were counted by families groups. The total number in the camps, counted by divisions, is 603,550.


text:
Moses obeyed the Lord and did not count the Levites among the other ·people [sons; children] of Israel.


text:
So the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] obeyed everything the Lord commanded Moses. They camped under their ·flags [banners] and marched out by ·families [clans] and family groups.


text:
Aaron’s Family, the Priests ·This is the family history [These are the generations; ] of Aaron and Moses at the time the Lord talked to Moses on Mount Sinai.


text:
·Aaron had four sons [These are the names of the sons of Aaron]: Nadab, the ·oldest [firstborn], Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.


text:
But Nadab and Abihu died in the presence of the Lord when they offered ·the wrong kind of [strange; an inappropriate performance of a ritual] fire before the Lord in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai []. They had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.


text:
“Bring the tribe of Levi and ·present them to [make them stand before] Aaron the priest to ·help [minister to; assist] him.


text:
They will ·help [take care of] him and all the ·Israelites [community; assembly; congregation] at the Meeting Tent, doing the work in the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].


text:
The Levites must take care of everything in the Meeting Tent and serve the people of Israel by doing the work in the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].


text:
Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; of all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], the Levites are given completely to him.


text:
Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests, but anyone else who comes near the holy things must be put to death.”


text:
“I am ·choosing [taking] the Levites from all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] to take the place of all the firstborn ·children [who open the womb] of ·Israel [the sons/children of Israel]. The Levites will be mine,


text:
because the firstborn are mine. When you were in Egypt, I ·killed [struck] all the firstborn ·children of the [in the land of the] Egyptians [] and took all the firstborn of Israel to be mine [, ; ; ], both animals and children. They are mine. I am the Lord.”


text:
“Count the ·Levites [sons/descendants of Levi] by ·families [clans] and family groups. Count every male one month old or older.”


text:
The ·Kohathite family groups [the sons/descendants of Kohath by their clans] were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel [].


text:
The ·Merarite family groups [the sons/descendants of Merari by their clans] were Mahli and Mushi []. These were the ·family groups [clans according to the family groups] of the Levites.


text:
The ·family groups [clans] of Libni and Shimei belonged to Gershon; they were the Gershonite ·family groups [clans].


text:
In the Meeting Tent the Gershonites were in charge of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], its covering [], the curtain at the entrance to the Meeting Tent,


text:
the curtains in the courtyard, the curtain at the entry to the courtyard around the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and the altar, the ropes, and all the work connected with these items.


text:
The ·family groups [clans] of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel belonged to Kohath; they were the Kohathite ·family groups [clans].


text:
They had 8,600 males one month old or older, and they were responsible for taking care of the Holy Place.


text:
They were responsible for the Ark [], the table [], the lampstand [Menorah; ], the altars [], the tools of the Holy Place which they were to use, the curtain, and all the work connected with these items.


text:
The main leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, who was in charge of all those responsible for the Holy Place.


text:
The ·family groups [clans] of Mahli and Mushi belonged to Merari; they were the Merarite ·family groups [clans].


text:
The leader of the Merari families was Zuriel son of Abihail, and they were to camp north of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].


text:
The Merarites were responsible for the frames of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the ·braces [bars], the ·posts [pillars], the bases, and all the work connected with these items.


text:
They were also responsible for the ·posts [pillars] in the courtyard around the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.


text:
Moses, Aaron, and his sons camped east of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], toward the sunrise, in front of the Meeting Tent. They were responsible for the Holy Place for the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. Anyone else who came near the Holy Place was to be put to death.


text:
Moses and Aaron counted the Levite men by their ·families [clans], as the Lord commanded, and there were 22,000 males one month old or older.


text:
Levites Take the Place of the Firstborn Sons The Lord said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn sons in Israel one month old or older, and list their names.


text:
Take the Levites for me instead of the firstborn sons of Israel; take the animals of the Levites instead of the firstborn animals from the ·rest [sons] of Israel. I am the Lord.”


text:
“Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn sons of the Israelites, and take the animals of the Levites instead of the animals of the other people. The Levites are mine. I am the Lord.


text:
collect ·two ounces [five shekels] of silver for each of the 273 sons. Use the ·measure as set by [shekel of] the Holy Place, which is ·two-fifths of an ounce [a shekel of twenty gerahs].


text:
From the firstborn of the Israelites, he collected ·thirty-five pounds [1,365 shekels] of silver, using the ·measure set by [shekel of] the Holy Place.


text:
“·Count [Take a census of; Lift the head of] the Kohathites ·among [or separate from] the Levites by ·family groups [clans] and families.


text:
·Count [Take a census of; Lift the head of] the men from thirty to fifty years old, all who come to serve in the Meeting Tent.


text:
When the ·Israelites are [camp is] ready to move, Aaron and his sons must go into the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], take down the curtain, and cover the Ark of the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty; Testimony; ] with it.


text:
Over this they must put a covering made from ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ], then spread the solid blue cloth over that [], and put the poles in place.


text:
“Then they must spread a blue cloth over the table for the ·bread that shows a person is in God’s presence [Bread of Presence; ]. They must put the plates, pans, bowls, and the jars for drink offerings on the table; they must leave the bread that is always there on the table.


text:
Then they must put a ·red [crimson] cloth over all of these things, cover everything with ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ], and put the poles in place.


text:
“With a blue cloth they must cover the ·lampstand [Menorah; ], its lamps, its wick trimmers, its trays, and all the jars for the oil used in the lamps.


text:
Then they must wrap everything in ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ] and put all these things on a frame for carrying them.


text:
“They must spread a blue cloth over the gold altar [the altar of incense; ], cover it with ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ], and put the poles in place.


text:
“They must gather all the things used for serving in the Holy Place and wrap them in a blue cloth. Then they must cover that with ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ] and put these things on a frame for carrying them.


text:
They must gather all the things used for serving at the altar—the ·pans for carrying the fire [firepans], the meat forks, the shovels, and the ·bowls [basins]—and put them on the bronze altar. Then they must spread a covering of ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ] over it and put the poles in place.


text:
“When the ·Israelites are [camp is] ready to move, and when Aaron and his sons have covered the ·holy furniture [or Holy Place] and all the holy things, the Kohathites may go in and carry them away. In this way they won’t touch the holy things and die. It is the Kohathites’ job to carry the things that are in the Meeting Tent.


text:
“Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, will be responsible for the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and for everything in it, for all the holy things it has: the oil for the lamp [], the sweet-smelling incense, the continual ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], and the oil used to appoint priests [] and things to the Lord’s service.”


text:
Do this for the Kohathites so that they may go near the Most Holy Place and live and not die: Aaron and his sons must go in and show each Kohathite what to do and what to carry.


text:
“·Count [Take a census of; Lift the head of] the Gershonites by families and ·family groups [clans].


text:
·Count [Take a census of; Lift the head of] the men from thirty to fifty years old, all who have a job to do in the Meeting Tent.


text:
They must carry the curtains of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the Meeting Tent, its covering, and its outer covering made from ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; ]. They must also carry the ·curtains [screen] for the entrance to the Meeting Tent,


text:
the curtains of the courtyard [] that go around the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and the altar [], the ·curtain [screen] for the entry to the courtyard, the ropes, and all the things used with the curtains. They must do everything connected with these things.


text:
Aaron and his sons are in charge of what the Gershonites do or carry; you tell them what they are responsible for carrying.


text:
This is the work of the ·Gershonite family group [clan of the sons of Gershon] at the Meeting Tent. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, will direct their work.


text:
The Jobs of the Merari Family “·Count [Take a census of; Lift the head of] the ·Merarite families and [sons of Merari by] ·family groups [clans].


text:
·Count [Take a census of; Lift the head of] the men from thirty to fifty years old, all who work at the Meeting Tent.


text:
It is their job to carry the following as they serve in the Meeting Tent: the frames of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the crossbars, the ·posts [pillars], and bases,


text:
in addition to the ·posts [pillars] that go around the courtyard, their bases, tent pegs, ropes, and everything that is used with the poles around the courtyard. Tell each man exactly what to carry.


text:
This is the work the Merarite ·family group [clan] will do for the Meeting Tent. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, will direct their work.”


text:
The Levite Families Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of ·Israel [the community/congregation/assembly] counted the ·Kohathites [sons/descendants of Kohath] by families and ·family groups [clans],


text:
This was the total of the Kohath ·family groups [clans] who worked at the Meeting Tent, whom Moses and Aaron counted as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
Also, the ·Gershonites [the sons/descendants of Gershon] were counted by families and ·family groups [clans],


text:
This was the total of the Gershon ·family groups [clans] who worked at the Meeting Tent, whom Moses and Aaron counted as the Lord had commanded.


text:
Also, the men in the families and ·family groups [clans] of the ·Merari family [sons/descendants of Merari] were counted,


text:
This was the total of the Merari ·family groups [clans], whom Moses and Aaron counted as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by families and ·family groups [clans].


text:
They counted the men from thirty to fifty who were given work at the Meeting Tent and who carried the Tent.


text:
Each man was counted as the Lord had commanded Moses; each man was given his work and told what to carry as the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
“Command the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] to send away from camp anyone with ·a harmful skin disease [leprosy; the term does not refer to modern leprosy (Hansen’s disease), but to various skin disorders; ]. Send away anyone who gives off body fluid [] or who has become unclean by touching a dead body [; ].


text:
Send both men and women outside the camp so that they won’t spread the disease there, where I am living among you.”


text:
So ·Israel [the sons/children of Israel] obeyed the Lord’s command and sent those people outside the camp. They did just as the Lord had told Moses.


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]: ‘When a man or woman does something wrong to another person, that is really sinning against the Lord. That person is guilty


text:
and must ·admit [confess] the wrong that has been done. The person must fully pay for the wrong that has been done, adding one-fifth to it, and giving it to the person who was wronged.


text:
But if that person is dead and does not have any close relatives to receive the payment, the one who did wrong owes the Lord and must pay the priest. In addition, the priest must sacrifice a male sheep to remove the wrong so that the person will belong to the Lord.


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]: ‘A man’s wife might ·be unfaithful to him [go astray and break faith with him]


text:
and have sexual relations with another man. Her sin might be kept hidden from her husband so that he does not know about the wrong she did. Perhaps ·no one saw it [there was no witness], and she wasn’t caught.


text:
he should take her to the priest. The husband must also take an offering for her of ·two quarts [one tenth of an ephah] of barley flour. He must not pour oil or incense on it, because this is a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering for jealousy [], an offering of remembrance. It is to find out if she is guilty.


text:
He will take some holy water in a clay jar, and he will put some ·dirt [dust] from the floor of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] into the water.


text:
The priest will make the woman stand before the Lord, and he will loosen her hair [perhaps signifying ritual uncleanness; ]. He will hand her the grain [tribute; gift] offering [] of remembrance, the ·grain [tribute; gift] offering [] for jealousy; he will hold the bitter water that brings a curse.


text:
The priest will make her take an oath and ask her, “Has another man had sexual relations with you? Have you been unfaithful to your husband? If you haven’t, this bitter water that brings a curse won’t hurt you.


text:
But if you have been unfaithful to your husband and have defiled yourself and had sexual relations with a man besides him”—


text:
the priest will then put on her the curse that the oath will bring—“the Lord will make the people curse and reject you. He will make your ·stomach get big [uterus drop], and he will make your ·body unable to give birth to another baby [womb discharge; thigh waste away/wither; a euphemism for the womb].


text:
This water that brings a curse will go inside you and make your ·stomach get big [or uterus drop] and make your ·body unable to give birth to another baby [womb discharge; your thigh waste away/wither; ].” “‘The woman must say, “I agree.”


text:
and make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse. If she is guilty, the water will ·make her sick [cause bitter pain].


text:
Then the priest will take the ·grain [tribute; gift] offering [] for jealousy from her. He will ·present [elevate] it before the Lord and bring it to the altar.


text:
He will take a handful of the grain, which is a memorial offering, and ·burn it [turn it into smoke] on the altar. After that he will make the woman drink the water


text:
to see if she ·is not pure [defiled herself] and if she has sinned against her husband. When it goes into her, if her ·stomach gets big [or uterus falls] and ·she is not able to have another baby [her thigh wastes away/withers; ], her people will reject her.


text:
But if the woman has not sinned, she is pure. She is not guilty, and she will be able to have babies.


text:
“‘So this is the ·teaching [instruction; law] about jealousy. This is what to do when a woman does wrong and is unfaithful while she is married to her husband.


text:
It also should be done if the man gets jealous because he suspects his wife. The priest will have her stand before the Lord, and he will do all these things, just as the ·teaching [instruction; law] commands.


text:
“Tell the Lord ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]: ‘If men or women want to ·promise [make a special vow] to ·belong to the Lord in a special way [separate themselves to the Lord], they will be called Nazirites [people especially set apart in devotion to God; Samson and Samuel are examples].


text:
During this time, they must not drink wine or ·beer [strong drink; an alcoholic beverage made from grain], or vinegar made from wine or ·beer [strong drink]. They must not even drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.


text:
While they are Nazirites, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, even the seeds or the skin.


text:
“‘During the time they have ·promised [vowed] to ·belong to the [separate themselves to the] Lord, they must not cut their hair [avoiding contact with dead matter]. They must be holy until this special time is over. They must let their hair grow long.


text:
During ·their special time of belonging [the time of their vow] to the Lord, Nazirites must not go near a dead body.


text:
Even if their own father, mother, brother, or sister dies, they must not ·touch them, or they will become unclean [defile themselves; in a ritual sense]. ·They must still keep their promise to belong to God in a special way [The consecration/separation to God is on their head].


text:
“‘If they are next to someone who dies suddenly, their hair, which was ·part of their promise [consecrated], has been ·made unclean [defiled; in a ritual sense]. So they must shave their head seven days later to be clean.


text:
Then on the eighth day, they must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
The priest will offer one as a ·sin [or purification; ] offering and the other as a burnt offering []. This ·removes sin so they will belong to the Lord [makes atonement for them]. (They had sinned because they were near a dead body.) That same day they ·will again promise to let their hair grow [sanctify/consecrate the head]


text:
and ·give themselves [separate themselves] to the Lord for ·another special time [their time as Nazirites]. They must bring a male lamb a year old as a ·penalty [guilt; reparation; ] offering. The days of the special time before don’t count, because ·they became unclean during their first special time [the consecrated/sanctified head became defiled].


text:
“‘This is the ·teaching [instruction; law] for the Nazirites. When the ·promised time [time of their consecration] is over, they must go to the entrance of the Meeting Tent


text:
and give their offerings to the Lord. They must offer a year-old male lamb that ·has nothing wrong with it [is unblemished], as a burnt offering [], a year-old female lamb that ·has nothing wrong with it [is unblemished], as a ·sin [or purification; ] offering, and a ·male sheep [ram] that ·has nothing wrong with it [is unblemished], for a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [].


text:
They must also bring the ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [] and drink offerings that go with them. And they must bring a basket of bread made without ·yeast [leaven], loaves made with ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil, and wafers made without ·yeast [leaven] spread with oil.


text:
“‘The priest will give these offerings to the Lord and make the ·sin [or purification; ] offering and the burnt offering [].


text:
Then he will ·kill [offer] the ·male sheep [ram] as a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] to the Lord; along with it, he will present the basket of bread made without yeast [leaven], the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], and the drink offering.


text:
“‘The Nazirites must go to the entrance of the Meeting Tent and shave ·off their hair that they grew for their promise [their consecrated head]. The hair will be put in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [].


text:
“‘After the Nazirites ·cut off their hair [shave their consecrated head], the priest will give them a boiled shoulder from the ·male sheep [ram]. From the basket he will also give a loaf and a wafer, both made without ·yeast [leaven].


text:
Then the priest will ·present [elevate] them to the Lord. They are ·holy and belong to [a holy portion for] the priest. Also, he is to ·present [elevate] the breast and the thigh from the ·male sheep [ram]. After that, the Nazirites may drink wine.


text:
“‘This is the ·teaching [instruction; law] for the Nazirites who ·make a promise [take a vow]. Everyone who makes the Nazirite ·promise [vow] must give all of these gifts to the Lord. If they promised to do more, they must keep their ·promise [vow], according to the ·teaching [instruction; law] of the Nazirites.’”


text:
“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you should bless the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. Say to them:


text:
May the Lord ·show you his kindness [make his face shine upon you] and ·have mercy on [be gracious to] you.


text:
“So Aaron and his sons will ·bless the Israelites with my name [put my name upon the sons/children of Israel], and I will bless them.”


text:
The Holy Tent When Moses finished setting up the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], he ·gave it for service to the Lord [consecrated/sanctified it] by ·pouring olive oil on the Tent [anointing it] and on everything used in it. He also ·poured oil on [anointed] the altar and all its tools to ·prepare them for service to the Lord [consecrate/sanctify it].


text:
Then the leaders of Israel made offerings. These were the heads of the families, the leaders of each tribe who counted the people.


text:
They brought to the Lord six covered ·carts [wagons] and twelve oxen—each leader giving an ox, and every two leaders giving a ·cart [wagon]. They brought these to the Holy Tent.


text:
“Accept these gifts from the leaders and use them in the work of the Meeting Tent. Give them to the Levites as they need them.”


text:
He gave two ·carts [wagons] and four oxen to the ·Gershonites [sons/descendants of Gershon], which they needed for their work.


text:
Then Moses gave four ·carts [wagons] and eight oxen to the ·Merarites [sons/descendants of Merari], which they needed for their work. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, directed the work of all of them.


text:
Moses did not give any oxen or ·carts [wagons] to the ·Kohathites [sons/descendants of Kohath], because their job was to carry the holy things on their shoulders.


text:
When the ·oil was poured on the altar [altar was anointed], the leaders brought their offerings to it to ·give it to the Lord’s service [dedicate it]; they presented them in front of the altar.


text:
The Lord told Moses, “Each day one leader must bring his gift ·to make the altar ready for service to me [for the dedication of the altar].”


text:
Each of the twelve leaders brought these gifts. Each leader brought one silver plate that weighed about ·three and one-fourth pounds [130 shekels], and one silver bowl that weighed about ·one and three-fourths pounds [70 shekels]. These weights were set by the Holy Place measure. The bowl and the plate were filled with ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil for a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []. Each leader also brought a large gold dish that weighed about ·four ounces [10 shekels] and was filled with incense. In addition, each of the leaders brought one young bull, one ·male sheep [ram], and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering []; one male goat for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering; and two oxen, five ·male sheep [rams], five male goats, and five male lambs a year old for a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [; the Hebrew text repeats the preceding two paragraphs with each of the twelve leaders listed below]. On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Judah. On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Issachar. On the third day Eliab son of Helon brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Zebulun. On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Reuben. On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Simeon. On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Gad. On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Ephraim. On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Manasseh. On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Benjamin. On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Dan. On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Asher. On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Naphtali.


text:
So these were the gifts from the Israelite leaders when ·oil was poured on the altar [the altar was anointed] ·and it was given for service to the Lord [to dedicate it]: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes.


text:
Each silver plate weighed about ·three and one-fourth pounds [130 shekels], and each bowl weighed about ·one and three-fourths pounds [70 shekels]. All the silver plates and silver bowls together weighed about ·sixty pounds [2,400 shekels] according to a weight set by the Holy Place measure.


text:
The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ·four ounces [10 shekels] each, according to the weight set by the Holy Place measure. Together the gold dishes weighed about ·three pounds [120 shekels].


text:
The total number of animals for the burnt offering [] was twelve bulls, twelve ·male sheep [rams], and twelve male lambs a year old. There was also a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], and there were twelve male goats for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering.


text:
The total number of animals for the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] was twenty-four bulls, sixty ·male sheep [rams], sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old. All these offerings were for ·giving the altar to the service of the Lord [the dedication of the altar] after ·the oil had been poured on it [it had been anointed].


text:
When Moses went into the Meeting Tent to speak with the Lord, he heard the Lord speaking to him. The voice was coming from between the two ·gold creatures with wings [cherubim; ] that were above the ·lid [Mercy Seat/Cover; ] of the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; Testimony; ]. In this way the Lord spoke with him.


text:
“Speak to Aaron and tell him, ‘Put the seven lamps where they can light the area in front of the ·lampstand [Menorah; ].’”


text:
Aaron did this, putting the lamps so they lighted the area in front of the ·lampstand [Menorah]; he obeyed the command the Lord gave Moses.


text:
The ·lampstand [Menorah] was made from hammered gold, from its base to the flowers [like a flowering tree, reminding worshipers of Eden]. It was made exactly the way the Lord had showed Moses.


text:
“Take the Levites away from the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] and make them clean [in a ritual sense].


text:
This is what you should do to make them clean: Sprinkle the cleansing water on them, and have them shave their bodies and wash their clothes so they will be clean.


text:
They must take a young bull and the grain offering of flour mixed with oil that goes with it. Then take a second young bull for a ·sin [or purification] offering [].


text:
Bring the Levites to the front of the Meeting Tent, and gather all the ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] around.


text:
When you bring the Levites before the Lord, the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] should put their hands on them [a ritual of identification, showing that the Israelites had a part in their consecration].


text:
Aaron will present the Levites before the Lord as an offering presented from the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. Then the Levites will be ready to do the work of the Lord.


text:
“The Levites will ·put [lay] their hands [; ] on the bulls’ heads—one bull will be a ·sin [or purification] offering [] to the Lord, and the other will be a burnt offering [], to ·remove the sins of the Levites so they will belong to the Lord [make atonement for the Levites].


text:
Make the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and present the Levites as an elevation offering to the Lord.


text:
In this way you must ·set apart [separate] the Levites from the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]; the Levites will be mine.


text:
“Make the Levites pure [in a ritual sense], and ·present [elevate] them as an offering so that they may come to work at the Meeting Tent.


text:
They will be given completely to me from the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]; I have taken them for myself instead of ·the firstborn of every Israelite woman [those who open the womb, the firstborn of all the sons/children of Israel].


text:
All the firstborn ·in Israel—people or animals[—among the sons/children of Israel and among people and among animals] are mine. When I ·killed [struck] all the firstborn in Egypt [], I ·set the firstborn in Israel aside for myself [consecrated/sanctified them to me; , ; ; ].


text:
But I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn ·in Israel [among the sons/children of Israel].


text:
From all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] I have given the Levites to Aaron and his sons so that they may serve the Israelites at the Meeting Tent. They will ·help remove the Israelites’ sins so they will belong to the Lord [make atonement for the sons/children of Israel] and so that no ·disaster [plague] will strike the Israelites when they approach the ·Holy Place [Tabernacle].”


text:
So Moses, Aaron, and all the ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] obeyed and did with the Levites what the Lord commanded Moses.


text:
The Levites made themselves clean from sin and washed their clothes. Then Aaron ·presented [elevated] them as an offering to the Lord. He also ·removed their sins [made atonement for them] so they would be pure [in a ritual sense].


text:
After that, the Levites came to the Meeting Tent to work, and Aaron and his sons told them what to do. They did with the Levites what the Lord commanded Moses.


text:
“This command is for the Levites. Everyone twenty-five years old or older must come to the Meeting Tent, because they all have jobs to do there.


text:
They may ·help [serve; minister to] their fellow Levites with their work at the Meeting Tent, but they must not do the work themselves. This is the way you are to give the Levites their jobs.”


text:
The Passover Is Celebrated The Lord spoke to Moses in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai in the first month of the second year after the Israelites left Egypt []. He said,


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] to celebrate the Passover at the appointed time [; commemorating the departure from Egypt].


text:
That appointed time is the fourteenth day of this month ·at twilight [between the two evenings]; they must obey all the rules about it.”


text:
and they did; it was in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai ·at twilight [between the two evenings] on the fourteenth day of the first month. The ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.


text:
But some of the people could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were unclean [in a ritual sense; ] from touching a dead body. So they went to Moses and Aaron that day and


text:
said to Moses, “We are unclean because of touching a dead body. But why should we be kept from offering gifts to the Lord at this appointed time? Why can’t we join the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]?”


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] this: ‘If you or your descendants become unclean [in a ritual sense] because of a dead body, or if you are away on a trip during the Passover, you must still celebrate the Lord’s Passover.


text:
But celebrate it at ·twilight [between the two evenings] on the fourteenth day of the second month. Eat the lamb with bitter herbs [] and bread made without ·yeast [leaven].


text:
Don’t leave any of it until the next morning or break any of its bones []. When you celebrate the Passover, follow all the rules [].


text:
Anyone who is clean and is not away on a trip but does not eat the Passover must be cut off from the people. That person did not give an offering to the Lord at the appointed time and must be punished for the sin.


text:
“‘·Foreigners [Resident aliens] among you may celebrate the Lord’s Passover, but they must follow all the rules. You must have the same rules for ·foreigners [resident aliens] as you have for ·yourselves [natives; citizens].’”


text:
The Cloud Above the Tent On the day the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the Tent of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant], was set up, a cloud covered it. From dusk until dawn the cloud above the ·Tent [Tabernacle] looked like fire [].


text:
When the cloud moved from its place over the Tent, the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] moved, and wherever the cloud stopped, the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] camped.


text:
So the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] moved at the Lord’s command, and they camped at his command. While the cloud stayed over the ·Tent [Tabernacle], they remained camped.


text:
Sometimes the cloud stayed over the ·Tent [Tabernacle] for a long time, but the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] obeyed the Lord and did not move.


text:
Sometimes the cloud was over it only a few days. At the Lord’s command the people camped, and at his command they moved.


text:
Sometimes the cloud stayed only from dusk until dawn; when the cloud lifted the next morning, the people moved. When the cloud lifted, day or night, the people moved.


text:
The cloud might stay over the ·Tent [Tabernacle] for two days, a month, or a year. As long as it stayed, the people camped, but when it lifted, they moved.


text:
At the Lord’s command the people camped, and at his command they moved. They obeyed the Lord’s order that he commanded through Moses.


text:
“Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them to call the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] together and to march out of camp.


text:
When both trumpets are blown, the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] should gather before you at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
If you blow only one trumpet, the leaders, the heads of the ·family groups [clans] of Israel, should meet before you.


text:
When you loudly blow them again, the ·tribes [camps] camping on the south should move; the loud sound will tell them to move.


text:
“Aaron’s sons, the priests, should blow the trumpets. This is a ·law [perpetual/eternal regulation] for you and your descendants ·from now on [throughout your generations].


text:
When you are fighting an enemy who attacks you in your own land, blow the trumpets loudly. The Lord your God will ·take notice of [remember] you and will save you from your enemies.


text:
Also blow your trumpets at happy times and during your feasts and at New Moon festivals [; ; ; ; ; ; ]. Blow them over your burnt offerings [] and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [], because they will help you remember your God. I am the Lord your God.”


text:
The Israelites Move Camp The cloud lifted from the ·Tent [Tabernacle] of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant] on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year.


text:
So the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] moved from the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai and continued until the cloud stopped in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Paran.


text:
The divisions from the camp of ·Judah [the sons/descendants of Judah] moved first under their ·flag [banner]. Nahshon son of Amminadab was the commander.


text:
Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of ·Issachar [the sons/descendants of Issachar].


text:
Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of ·Zebulun [the sons/descendants of Zebulun].


text:
Then the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] was taken down, and the ·Gershonites [sons/descendants of Gershon; , ; ] and ·Merarites [sons/descendants of Merari; , ; ], who carried it, moved next.


text:
Then came the divisions from the camp of Reuben under their ·flag [banner], and Elizur son of Shedeur was the commander.


text:
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of ·Simeon [the sons/descendants of Simeon].


text:
Then came the Kohathites [, ; ], who carried the holy things; the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] was to be set up before they arrived.


text:
Next came the divisions from the camp of ·Ephraim [the sons/descendants of Ephraim] under their ·flag [banner], and Elishama son of Ammihud was the commander.


text:
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of ·Manasseh [the sons/descendants of Manasseh],


text:
and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of ·Benjamin [the sons/descendants of Benjamin].


text:
The last ones were the rear guard for all the tribes. These were the divisions from the camp of ·Dan [the sons/descendants of Dan] under their flag, and Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was the commander.


text:
Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of ·Naphtali [the sons/descendants of Naphtali].


text:
Hobab was the son of Reuel the Midianite, who was Moses’ father-in-law [also called Jethro; ]. Moses said to Hobab, “We are moving to the land the Lord promised to give us. Come with us and we will be good to you, because the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”


text:
But Moses said, “Please don’t ·leave [abandon; forsake] us. You know where we can camp in the ·desert [wilderness], and you can be our ·guide [eyes].


text:
So they left the mountain of the Lord [Mount Sinai] and traveled for three days. The Ark of the Lord’s ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; ] went in front of the people for those three days, as they looked for a ·place to camp [resting place].


text:
The Lord’s cloud [symbolic of God’s presence] was over them during the day when they left their camp.


text:
When the Ark left the camp, Moses said, “Rise up, Lord! Scatter your enemies: make those who hate you run from you [the wilderness journey was seen as a march into battle].”


text:
And when the Ark ·was set down [came to rest], Moses said, “Return, Lord, to the thousands of people of Israel.”


text:
Fire from the Lord Now the people complained ·to [in the ears of] the Lord about their troubles, and when he heard them, he became angry. Then fire from the Lord burned ·among the people at the edge [on the outskirts] of the camp.


text:
Seventy Elders Help Moses Some ·troublemakers [rabble; foreign elements] among them wanted better food, and soon all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] began ·complaining [weeping]. They said, “We want meat!


text:
We remember the fish we ate for free in Egypt. We also had cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.


text:
But now we have lost our ·appetite [or vitality; strength]; we never see anything but this manna []!”


text:
The people would go to gather it, and then grind it in handmills, or crush it ·between stones [with mortars]. After they ·cooked [or boiled] it in a pot or made cakes with it, it tasted like ·bread [cakes] baked with olive oil.


text:
Moses heard every ·family [clan] ·crying [weeping] as they stood in the entrances of their tents. Then the Lord became very angry, and ·Moses got upset [it was bad in the eyes of Moses].


text:
He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought me, your servant, this trouble? ·What have I done wrong [Why have I not found favor in your eyes] that you ·made me responsible [set the burden on me] for all these people?


text:
·I am not the father of [Did I conceive/Am I the mother of] all these people, and ·I didn’t [did I…?] give birth to them. So why do you make me carry them to the land you promised to our ancestors? Must I carry them in my ·arms [bosom] as a nurse carries a baby?


text:
If you are going to continue doing this to me, then kill me now. If ·you care about me [I have found favor in your eyes], put me to death, and ·then I won’t have [do not let me see] any more troubles.”


text:
The Lord said to Moses, “·Bring [Gather for] me seventy of Israel’s elders, men that you know are leaders among the people. Bring them to the Meeting Tent, and have them stand there with you.


text:
I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit [that enables Moses to do his work] that is in you, and I will ·give it to [or put it on] them. They will ·help you care for the people [bear the burden of the people with you] so that you will not have to ·care for them [bear it] alone.


text:
“Tell the people this: ‘·Make yourselves holy [Consecrate yourselves; in a ritual sense] for tomorrow, and you will eat meat. You cried ·to the [in the ears of the] Lord, “·We want meat [If only we had meat to eat]! We were better off in Egypt!” So now the Lord will give you meat to eat.


text:
but you will eat that meat for a whole month. You will eat it until it comes out your nose, and you will grow to ·hate [loathe] it. This is because you have rejected the Lord, who is with you. You have cried to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”


text:
Moses said, “Lord, here are six hundred thousand people ·standing [on foot] around me, and you say, ‘I will give them enough meat to eat for a month!’


text:
If we ·killed [slaughtered] all the flocks and herds, ·that would not be [would there be…?] enough. If we caught all the fish in the sea, ·that would not be [would there be…?] enough.”


text:
But the Lord said to Moses, “·Do you think I’m weak [Is the hand of the Lord too short]? Now you will see if ·I can do what I say [the words I spoke to you come true or not].”


text:
So Moses went out to the people and told them ·what the Lord had said [the words of the Lord]. He gathered seventy of the elders together and had them stand around the Tent.


text:
Then the Lord came down in the cloud [representing God’s presence] and spoke to Moses. The Lord took some of the Spirit Moses had, and he ·gave it to [or put it on] the seventy leaders. ·With the Spirit in [When the Spirit rested on] them, they prophesied, but just that one time [as evidence that they had the Spirit; ; ].


text:
Two men named Eldad and Medad were also ·listed as leaders [registered; enrolled], but they did not go to the Tent. They stayed in the camp, but the Spirit was also ·given to [or rested on] them, and they prophesied in the camp.


text:
Joshua son of Nun said, “Moses, my ·master [lord], stop them!” (·Ever since he was a young boy [or One of his chosen men], Joshua ·had been [or was] Moses’ assistant [; ; ; ].)


text:
But Moses answered, “Are you jealous for me? I wish all the Lord’s people could prophesy. I wish the Lord would give his Spirit to all of them [; ; ; ]!”


text:
The Lord Sends Quail ·The Lord sent a strong wind [Then a wind went out from the Lord] from the sea, and it blew quail into the area all around the camp. The quail were about ·three feet [two cubits] deep on the ground, and there were quail a day’s walk in any direction [; ].


text:
The people went out and gathered quail all that day, that night, and the next day. Everyone gathered at least ·sixty bushels [ten homers], and they spread them around the camp.


text:
But the Lord became very angry, and he ·gave the people a terrible sickness [struck the people with a terrible plague] that came while the meat was still ·in their mouths [between their teeth].


text:
So the people named that place Kibroth Hattaavah [Graves of Wanting/Craving], because there they buried those who ·wanted [craved] other food.


text:
Miriam and Aaron Speak Against Moses Miriam [] and Aaron [Moses’ sister and brother] began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife (he had married a Cushite [perhaps Zipporah (), but more likely an Ethiopian]).


text:
They said, “Is Moses the only one the Lord speaks through? Doesn’t he also speak through us?” And the Lord heard this.


text:
(Now Moses was very ·humble [or devout]. He was the ·least proud [most humble; or most devout] person on earth.)


text:
So the Lord suddenly spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “All three of you come to the Meeting Tent.” So they went.


text:
The Lord came down in a pillar of cloud [representing his presence; ] and stood at the entrance to the Tent. He called to Aaron and Miriam, and they both came near.


text:
He said, “Listen to my words: When prophets are among you, I, the Lord, ·will show myself [make myself known] to them in visions; I will speak to them in dreams [indirectly].


text:
I speak face to face with him— clearly, not with hidden meanings [directly]. He has even seen the form of the Lord []. ·You should be [Why are you not…?] afraid to speak against my servant Moses.”


text:
When the cloud lifted from the Tent and Aaron turned toward Miriam, she was as white as snow; she had a skin disease [rendering her ritually unclean; ; ].


text:
Aaron said to Moses, “Please, my ·master [lord], ·forgive us for our foolish sin [do not punish us for our foolish sin; do not lay sin on us that we foolishly committed].


text:
Don’t let her be like a baby who is ·born dead [stillborn]. (Sometimes a baby is born with half of its flesh eaten away.)”


text:
The Lord answered Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, ·she would [would she not…?] have been shamed for seven days, so ·put her [she was shut] outside the camp for seven days. After that, she may come back.”


text:
So Miriam was ·put [shut] outside of the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until she came back.


text:
“Send men to ·explore [spy on] the land of Canaan, which I will give to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. Send one leader from each tribe [].”


text:
So Moses obeyed the Lord’s command and sent the ·Israelite leaders [leaders of the sons/children of Israel] out from the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Paran.


text:
These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the new name Joshua.)


text:
Moses sent them to ·explore [spy on] Canaan and said, “Go through ·southern Canaan [the Negev] and then into the mountains.


text:
See what the land looks like. Are the people who live there strong or weak? Are there a few or many?


text:
What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What about the towns they live in—are they ·open like camps [unwalled], or do they have walls?


text:
What about the soil? Is it ·fertile [rich] or poor? ·Are there trees there [Does it have trees or not]? ·Try to [or Be courageous and] bring back some of the fruit from that land.” (It was the season for the first grapes.)


text:
So they went up and ·explored [spied on] the land, from the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Zin all the way to Rehob by Lebo Hamath.


text:
They went through the ·southern area [Negev] to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai [; ; ], the descendants of Anak lived [; , ; ; ]. (The city of Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)


text:
In the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch of a grapevine that had one bunch of grapes on it and carried that branch on a pole between two of them. They also got some pomegranates and figs.


text:
That place was called the Valley of Eshcol [“Bunch”], because the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] cut off the bunch of grapes there.


text:
They came back to Moses and Aaron and all the ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] at Kadesh, in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Paran. The men reported to them and showed ·everybody [all the community/congregation/assembly] the fruit from the land.


text:
They ·told [reported to] Moses, “We went to the land where you sent us, and it is a ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; ]! Here is some of its fruit.


text:
But the people who live there are strong. Their cities are walled and very large. We even saw some Anakites there.


text:
The Amalekites live in the ·southern area [Negev; ]; the Hittites, Jebusites [inhabitants in and around Jerusalem], and Amorites live in the mountains; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan River.”


text:
Then Caleb told the people near Moses to be quiet, and he said, “We should certainly go up and take the land for ourselves. We can certainly do it.”


text:
But the men who had gone with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”


text:
And those men gave the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] a bad report about the land they ·explored [spied on], saying, “The land that we ·explored [spied on] ·is too large to conquer [devours its inhabitants]. All the people we saw are very tall.


text:
We saw the Nephilim people there [perhaps named for the pre-flood people mentioned in ]. (The Anakites come from the Nephilim people.) We felt like grasshoppers, and we looked like grasshoppers to them.”


text:
The People Complain Again That night all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] in the camp began crying loudly.


text:
All the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] ·complained [grumbled] against Moses and Aaron, and all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] said to them, “We wish we had died in Egypt or in this ·desert [wilderness].


text:
Why is the Lord bringing us to this land to ·be killed with [make us fall by] swords? Our wives and children will be ·taken away [war plunder]. We would be better off going back to Egypt.”


text:
Then Moses and Aaron ·bowed [fell] facedown in front of all the ·Israelites [assembly/crowd of the community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] gathered there.


text:
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who had ·explored [spied on] the land, tore their clothes [ritual of grief].


text:
They said to all of the ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel], “The land we ·explored [spied on] is very good.


text:
If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land and give us that ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; ].


text:
Don’t ·turn [rebel] against the Lord! Don’t be afraid of the people in that land! We will chew them up. They have no protection, but the Lord is with us. So don’t be afraid of them.”


text:
Then all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] talked about ·killing them with stones [stoning them]. But the glory of the Lord [representing his manifest presence] appeared at the Meeting Tent to all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people ·ignore [despise] me? How long will they not believe me in spite of the ·miracles [signs] I have done among them?


text:
I will ·give them a terrible sickness [strike them with disease/pestilence] and ·get rid of [disinherit; dispossess] them. But I will make you into a great nation that will be stronger than they are [].”


text:
Then Moses said to the Lord, “The Egyptians will hear about it! You brought these people from there by your great power [],


text:
and the Egyptians will tell this to those who live in this land [Canaan]. They have already heard about you, Lord. They know that you are with your people and that you were seen face to face. They know that your cloud [representing God’s presence] stays over your people and that you lead your people with that cloud during the day and with fire at night [].


text:
‘The Lord was not able to bring them into the land he ·promised [swore to] them. So he ·killed [slaughtered] them in the ·desert [wilderness].’


text:
‘The Lord ·doesn’t become angry quickly [is slow to anger], but he has great ·love [covenant love; loyalty; ; ; ; ; ; ]. He forgives sin and ·law breaking [transgression]. But the Lord never forgets to punish guilty people. ·When parents sin, he will also punish [He visits the sin/iniquity/guilt of the fathers on] their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, and their great-great-grandchildren [].’


text:
By your great ·love [covenant love; loyalty], forgive these people’s sin, just as you have forgiven them from the time they left Egypt until now.”


text:
All these people saw my glory and the ·miracles [signs] I did in Egypt and in the ·desert [wilderness], but they ·disobeyed me [did not listen to my voice] and tested me ten times [symbolic for many times].


text:
So not one of them will see the land I ·promised [swore to give] to their ancestors. No one who ·rejected [despised] me will see that land.


text:
But my servant Caleb ·thinks differently [has a different spirit] and follows me completely. So I will bring him into the land he has already seen, and his ·children [seed] will ·own [possess] that land [; ].


text:
Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites are living in the valleys, leave tomorrow and follow the ·desert [Wilderness] road toward the ·Red [or Reed; ] Sea.”


text:
“How long will these evil ·people [community; congregation; assembly] ·complain [grumble] about me? I have heard the ·complaining [grumbling] of these ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
So tell them, ‘This is ·what the Lord says [the utterance/decree of the Lord]. I heard what you said, and as surely as I live, I will do those very things to you:


text:
·You will die [Your dead bodies will fall] in this ·desert [wilderness]. Every one of you who is twenty years old or older [of military age] and who was counted with the people []—all of you who ·complained [grumbled] against me—will die.


text:
Not one of you will enter the land where I ·promised [lifted my hand; as when swearing an oath] you would live; only Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun will go in.


text:
You said that your children would be ·taken away [war plunder], but I will bring them into the land to enjoy what you refused.


text:
Your children will be shepherds here for forty years. Because you were ·not loyal [unfaithful; the term suggests sexual unfaithfulness as a metaphor of spiritual unfaithfulness], they will suffer until ·you lie dead [the last of your bodies lie] in the ·desert [wilderness].


text:
For forty years you will suffer for your sins—a year for each of the forty days you ·explored [spied on] the land. You will know me as your enemy.’


text:
I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will certainly do these things to all ·these evil people [this evil community/congregation/assembly] who have come together against me. So they will all die here in this ·desert [wilderness].”


text:
The men Moses had sent to ·explore [spy on] the land had returned and ·spread complaints [grumbled] among all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly]. They had given a bad report about the land.


text:
Only two of the men who ·explored [spied on] the land did not die—Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh.


text:
When Moses told these things to all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], they ·were very sad [mourned greatly].


text:
Early the next morning they started to go toward the top of the mountains, saying, “We have sinned. We will go where the Lord told us.”


text:
But Moses said, “Why are you ·disobeying [transgressing] the Lord’s command? You will not ·win [succeed]!


text:
You will run into the Amalekites and Canaanites, who will ·kill [fell] you with swords. You have turned away from the Lord, so the Lord will not be with you.”


text:
But they were ·proud [presumptuous; reckless]. They went toward the top of the mountains, ·but [or even though] Moses and the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; ] with the Lord did not leave the camp.


text:
The Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in those mountains came down and ·attacked the Israelites [struck them down] and beat them back all the way to Hormah.


text:
“Speak to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] and say to them, ‘When you enter the land that I am giving you as a home,


text:
give the Lord offerings made by fire. These may be from your herds or flocks, as a smell pleasing to the Lord. These may be burnt offerings [] or sacrifices for ·special promises [a vow], or as gifts to him, or as festival offerings.


text:
The one who brings the offering shall also give the Lord a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []. It should be ·two quarts [one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with ·one quart [one-fourth of a hin] of olive oil.


text:
Each time you offer a lamb as a burnt offering [] or sacrifice, also prepare ·one quart [one-fourth of a hin] of wine as a drink offering.


text:
“‘If you are giving a ·male sheep [ram], also prepare a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] of ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with ·one and one-fourth quarts [one-third of a hin] of olive oil.


text:
Also prepare ·one and one-fourth quarts [one-third of a hin] of wine as a drink offering. Its smell will be pleasing to the Lord.


text:
“‘If you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering [] or sacrifice, whether it is for a ·special promise [vow] or a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [] to the Lord,


text:
bring a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] with the bull. It should be ·six quarts [three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with ·two quarts [half a hin] of olive oil.


text:
Also bring ·two quarts [half a hin] of wine as a drink offering. This offering is made by fire, and its smell will be pleasing to the Lord.


text:
“‘All ·citizens [natives] must do these things in this way, and the smell of their offerings by fire will be pleasing to the Lord.


text:
·From now on [Throughout your generations] if ·foreigners [resident aliens] who live among you want to make offerings by fire so the smell will be pleasing to the Lord, they must offer them the same way you do.


text:
As for the ·people [community; congregation; assembly], the ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] is the same for you and for ·foreigners [resident aliens], and it will be ·from now on [a perpetual requirement]; you and the ·foreigners [resident aliens] are alike before the Lord.


text:
The ·teachings [instructions; laws] and ·rules [regulations] are the same for you and for the ·foreigners [resident aliens] among you.’”


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]: ‘You are going to another land, where I am taking you.


text:
·Offer [Elevate] a loaf of bread from the first of your ·grain [or dough], which will be your ·offering [elevation offering] from the threshing floor.


text:
·From now on [Throughout your generations] ·offer [elevate] to the Lord the first part of your ·grain [or dough].


text:
“‘Now what if you ·forget [unintentionally fail] to ·obey [do] any of these commands the Lord gave Moses?


text:
These are the Lord’s commands given to you through Moses, which began the day the Lord ·gave them to [commanded] you and will continue ·from now on [throughout your generations].


text:
If the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] ·forget [unintentionally fail] to ·obey [do] one of these commands, all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] must offer a young bull as a burnt offering [], a smell pleasing to the Lord. By law you must also give the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] and the drink offering with it, and you must bring a male goat as a ·sin [or purification; ] offering.


text:
“‘The priest will ·remove that sin for all the Israelites so they will belong to the Lord [atone for all the community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel]. They are forgiven, because they ·didn’t know they were sinning [sinned unintentionally]. For the unintentional wrong they did they brought offerings to the Lord, an offering by fire and a ·sin [or purification; ] offering.


text:
So all of the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] of ·Israel [the sons/children of Israel] and the ·foreigners [resident aliens] living among them will be forgiven. ·No one meant to do wrong [They were all involved in unintentional sin].


text:
“‘If just one person sins ·without meaning to [unintentionally], a year-old female goat must be brought for a ·sin [or purification; ] offering.


text:
The priest will ·remove [atone for] the sin of the person who sinned ·accidentally [unintentionally]. He will ·remove it before the Lord [atone for him]; and the person will be forgiven.


text:
The same ·teaching [instruction; law] is for everyone who sins ·accidentally [unintentionally]—for those ·born Israelites [natives] and for ·foreigners [resident aliens] living among you.


text:
“‘But anyone who sins ·on purpose [with a high hand; knowingly] ·is against [insults] the Lord and must be cut off from the people, whether it is ·someone born among you [a native] or a ·foreigner [resident alien].


text:
That person has ·turned against [despised] the Lord’s word and has ·not obeyed [broken] his commands. Such a person must surely be cut off from the others. He is guilty.’”


text:
A Man Worked on the Sabbath When the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] were still in the ·desert [wilderness], they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day [; ; ; ].


text:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely die. All the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] must kill him by ·throwing stones at [stoning] him outside the camp.”


text:
So all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses.


text:
“Speak to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] and tell them this: ‘·Tie several pieces of thread together and attach them to [Make fringes/tassels on] the corners of your clothes. Put a blue thread ·in each one of these tassels [on the fringe/tassel of each corner]. Wear them ·from now on [throughout your generations].


text:
You will have these ·tassels [fringes] to look at to remind you of all the Lord’s commands. Then you will obey them and not ·be disloyal by following what your bodies and eyes want [follow after your own heart or your own eyes to be unfaithful/play the harlot after them].


text:
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On turned against Moses. (Korah was the son of Izhar [; ; , ], the son of Kohath, the son of Levi; Dathan and Abiram were brothers [; ], the sons of Eliab; and On was the son of Peleth; Dathan, Abiram, and On were from the tribe of Reuben [].)


text:
These men gathered two hundred fifty other ·Israelite men [men of the sons/children of Israel], ·well-known leaders [men of name/reputation] chosen by the ·community [congregation; assembly], and ·challenged [confronted] Moses.


text:
They ·came as a group to speak to [assembled against] Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far. All the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them []. So why do you put yourselves above all the ·people [assembly; crowd] of the Lord?”


text:
Then he said to Korah and all his ·followers [community; congregation; assembly]: “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who belongs to him. He will bring the one who is holy near to him; he will bring to himself the person he chooses.


text:
So Korah, you and all your ·followers [community; congregation; assembly] do this: Get some ·pans for burning incense [censers; firepans].


text:
Tomorrow put fire and incense in them and take them before the Lord []. He will choose the man who is holy. You ·Levites [sons/descendants of Levi] have gone too far.”


text:
The God of Israel has ·separated [divided] you from the rest of the ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of Israel]. He brought you near to himself to do the work in the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and to stand before all the ·Israelites [community; congregation; assembly] and ·serve [minister to] them [; ; ; ]. ·Isn’t that enough [Is it too little for you]?


text:
He has brought you and all your ·fellow [brother] ·Levites [sons of Levi] near to himself, yet now you ·want to be priests [seek the priesthood].


text:
You and your ·followers [community; congregation; assembly] have joined together against the Lord. ·Your complaint is not against Aaron [Who is Aaron that you complain/grumble against him?].”


text:
Is it too little that you have brought us out of a ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; Egypt] to this ·desert [wilderness] to kill us? Now you want to ·order us around [lord it over us].


text:
You haven’t brought us into a ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; ]; you haven’t given us ·any land [an inheritance] with fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? No! We will not come!”


text:
Then Moses became very angry and said to the Lord, “Don’t accept their ·gifts [tribute]. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey, and I have not done wrong to any of them.”


text:
Then Moses said to Korah, “You and all your ·followers [community; congregation; assembly] must stand before the Lord tomorrow. And Aaron will stand there with you and them.


text:
Each of you must take your ·pan [censer; firepan] and put incense in it; present these two hundred fifty ·pans [censers; firepans] before the Lord. You and Aaron must also present your ·pans [censers; firepans].”


text:
So each man got his ·pan [censer; firepan] and put burning incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


text:
Korah ·gathered [assembled] all his ·followers [community; congregation; assembly] who were against Moses and Aaron, and they stood at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. Then the glory of the Lord [representing God’s manifest presence, often in the form of fire and smoke] appeared to everyone.


text:
But Moses and Aaron ·bowed facedown [fell on their faces] and cried out, “God, you are the God ·over [of] the spirits of all ·people [flesh; ; ]. Please don’t be angry with this whole ·group [community; congregation; assembly]. Only one man has really sinned.”


text:
“Tell ·everyone [the community/congregation/assembly] to ·move away from [go up from around] the ·tents [dwellings] of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”


text:
Moses warned the people, “·Move away [Turn aside] from the tents of these evil men! Don’t touch anything of theirs, or you will be ·destroyed [swept away] because of their sins.”


text:
So they ·moved away [went up] from the ·tents [dwellings] of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram were standing outside their tents with their wives, children, and little babies.


text:
Then Moses said, “Now you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things; it was not ·my idea [from my heart/mind].


text:
If these men die a normal death—·the way men usually die [if a normal fate comes on them]—then the Lord did not really send me.


text:
But if the Lord ·does [creates] something new, you will know they have ·insulted [despised] the Lord. The ground will open and swallow them. They will be buried alive and will go to ·the place of the dead [Sheol; the grave or the underworld], and everything that belongs to them will go with them.”


text:
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and all their families. All Korah’s men and everything they owned went down.


text:
They were buried alive, going to ·the place of the dead [Sheol ;the grave or the underworld], and everything they owned went with them. Then the earth covered them. They ·died and were gone [perished] from the ·community [assembly; crowd].


text:
·The people of [All] Israel around them heard their screams and ran away, saying, “The earth will swallow us, too!”


text:
Then a fire came ·down [or out] from the Lord and ·destroyed [consumed] the two hundred fifty men who had presented the incense [].


text:
“Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to take all the ·incense pans [censers; firepans] out of the ·fire [flames]. Have him scatter the ·coals [fire] a long distance away. But the ·incense pans [censers; firepans] are still holy.


text:
Take the ·pans [censers; firepans] of these men who sinned and lost their lives, and hammer them into flat sheets that will be used to cover the altar. They are holy, because they were presented to the Lord, and they will be a sign to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].”


text:
So Eleazar the priest gathered all the bronze ·pans [censers; firepans] that had been brought by the men who were burned up. He had the ·pans [censers; firepans] hammered into flat sheets to put on the altar,


text:
as the Lord had commanded him through Moses. These sheets were to remind the Israelites that only ·descendants [the seed] of Aaron should burn incense before the Lord. Anyone else would die like Korah and his ·followers [community; congregation; assembly].


text:
Aaron Saves the People The next day all the ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] ·complained [grumbled] against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have killed the Lord’s people.”


text:
When the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] ·gathered [assembled] to ·complain [grumble] against Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the Meeting Tent, and the cloud covered it. The glory of the Lord [representing his manifest presence] appeared.


text:
“Move away from ·these people [this community/congregation/assembly] so I can ·destroy [consume] them quickly.” So Moses and Aaron ·bowed facedown [fell on their faces].


text:
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Get your ·pan [censer; firepan], and put fire from the altar and incense in it. Hurry to the people and ·remove their sin [make atonement for them]. The Lord is angry with them; the ·sickness [plague; pestilence] has already started.”


text:
So Aaron did as Moses said. He ran to the middle of the ·people [assembly; crowd], where the ·sickness [plague; pestilence] had already started among them. So Aaron offered the incense to ·remove their sin [make atonement for them].


text:
But 14,700 people died from that ·sickness [plague; pestilence], in addition to those who died because of Korah.


text:
Then Aaron went back to Moses at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. The terrible ·sickness [plague; pestilence] had been stopped.


text:
“Speak to the ·people [sons; children] of Israel and get twelve ·walking sticks [staffs] from them—one from the leader of each ·tribe [family group; house of their fathers]. Write the name of each man on his ·stick [staff], and


text:
on the ·stick [staff] from Levi, write Aaron’s name. There must be one ·stick [staff] for the head of each ·tribe [family; house of their fathers].


text:
Put them in the Meeting Tent in front of the ·Ark of the Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; Testimony; ], where I meet with you.


text:
I will choose one man whose ·walking stick [staff] will begin to grow leaves [indicating God’s affirmation]; in this way I will stop the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] from always ·complaining [grumbling] against you.”


text:
So Moses spoke to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. Each of the twelve leaders gave him a ·walking stick [staff]—one from each ·tribe [family; house of their fathers]—and Aaron’s ·walking stick [staff] was among them.


text:
The next day, when Moses entered the Tent of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant], he saw that Aaron’s ·stick [staff] (which stood for the family of Levi) had grown leaves. It had even budded, blossomed, and produced almonds.


text:
So Moses brought out to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] all the ·walking sticks [staffs] from the Lord’s presence. They all looked, and each man took back his ·stick [staff].


text:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s ·walking stick [staff] back in front of the ·Ark of the Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; Testimony; ]. It will ·remind [serve as a sign to] these people who are always turning against me to stop their ·complaining [grumbling] against me so they won’t die.”


text:
The ·people [sons/children] of Israel said to Moses, “We ·are going to die [will perish]! We are ·destroyed [lost]. We are all ·destroyed [lost]!


text:
The Work of the Priests and Levites The Lord said to Aaron, “You, your sons, and your ·family [father’s house] are now responsible for any wrongs done against the Holy Place; you and your sons are responsible for any wrongs done against the priests.


text:
Bring with you your ·fellow [brother] Levites from your tribe, and they will ·help [join; the name Levi means “joined”] you and your sons serve in the Tent of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant; ].


text:
They are under your control, to do all the work that needs to be done in the Tent. But they must not go near the things in the Holy Place or near the altar. If they do, both you and they will die.


text:
They will join you in taking care of the Meeting Tent. They must do the work at the Tent, and no ·one else [stranger; outsider] may come near you.


text:
“You must take care of the Holy Place and the altar so that I won’t become angry with the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] again.


text:
I myself chose your ·fellow [brother] Levites from among the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] as a gift given for you to the Lord, to work at the Meeting Tent.


text:
But only you and your sons may ·serve as priests [guard the priesthood]. Only you may serve at the altar or go behind the curtain. I am giving you this gift of serving as a priest, and ·anyone else [any stranger/outsider] who comes near the Holy Place will be put to death.”


text:
Then the Lord said to Aaron, “I myself make you responsible for the offerings given to me. All the holy offerings that the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] give to me, I give to you and your sons as your share, your ·continual [perpetual] portion.


text:
Your share of the ·holy offerings [holy of the holy things] is that part which is not burned. When the people bring me gifts as ·most holy offerings [holy of the holy things], whether they are ·grain [gift; tribute; ] or ·sin [or purification; ] or ·penalty [guilt; reparation; ] offerings, they will be set apart for you and your sons.


text:
You must eat the offering in ·a most holy place [the holy of holy places]. Any male may eat it, but you must respect it as holy.


text:
“I also give you the offerings the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] present to me. I give these to you and your sons and daughters as your ·continual [perpetual] share. Anyone in your ·family [house] who is clean [in a ritual sense] may eat it.


text:
“And I give you all the best olive oil and all the best new wine and grain. This is what ·the Israelites [they] give to me, the Lord, from the first crops they harvest.


text:
When they bring to the Lord all the first things they harvest, they will be yours. Anyone in your ·family [house] who is clean [in a ritual sense] may eat these things.


text:
The ·first one born [one that opens the womb] to any family, whether people or animals, will be offered to the Lord. And that will be yours. But you must ·make a payment for [ransom; redeem] every firstborn child and every firstborn animal that is unclean [in a ritual sense].


text:
When they are one month old, you ·must make a payment for [ransom; redeem] them of ·two ounces [five shekels, that is twenty gerahs] of silver, as set by the Holy Place measure [; , ].


text:
“But you must not ·make a payment for [ransom; redeem] the firstborn ox or sheep or goat. Those animals are holy. ·Sprinkle [Dash] their blood on the altar and ·burn [turn into smoke] their fat as an offering made by fire. The smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
Anything the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] present as holy gifts I, the Lord, give to you, your sons and daughters as your ·continual [perpetual] portion. This is a lasting ·agreement [treaty; covenant] of salt [representing perpetual agreement because salt can survive fire; ] before the Lord for you and your children forever.”


text:
The Lord also said to Aaron, “You will not inherit any of the land, and you will not own any land among the other people []. I will be yours. Out of all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], only you will inherit me.


text:
“When the people of Israel give me a ·tenth [tithe] of what they make, I will give that tenth to the ·Levites [sons of Levi; ; ; ]. This is their payment for the work they do serving at the Meeting Tent.


text:
But the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] must never go near the Meeting Tent, or they will die for their sin.


text:
Only the Levites should work in the Meeting Tent and be responsible for any sins against it. This is a ·rule from now on [perpetual statute/ordinance/requirement throughout your generations]. The Levites will not inherit any land among the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel],


text:
but when the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] give a ·tenth [tithe] of everything they make to me, I will give that ·tenth [tithe] to the Levites as a reward. That is why I said about the Levites: ‘They will not inherit any land among the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].’”


text:
“Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘You will receive a ·tenth [tithe] of everything the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] make, which I will give to you. But you must give a ·tenth of that [tenth of a tenth; tithe of a tithe] back to the Lord.


text:
I will accept your offering just as much as I accept the offerings from others, who give ·new grain [the grain of the threshing floor] or ·new wine [the fullness of the winepress].


text:
In this way you will present an offering to the Lord as the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] do. When you receive a ·tenth [tithe] from the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], you will give a ·tenth [tithe] of that to Aaron, the priest, as the Lord’s share.


text:
“Say to the Levites: ‘When you present the best, it will be accepted as much as the ·grain [product of the threshing floor] and ·wine [product of the wine press] from the other people.


text:
You and your ·families [house] may eat all that is left anywhere, because it is your pay for your work in the Meeting Tent.


text:
And if you always give the best part to the Lord, you will never be guilty. If you do not ·sin against [profane] the holy offerings of the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], you will not die.’”


text:
“These are the ·teachings [statutes; ordinances; requirements] that the Lord commanded. Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] to get a young red ·cow [heifer] that does not have ·anything wrong with it [a defect and is without a blemish] and that has never ·been worked [worn a yoke].


text:
Give the ·cow [heifer] to Eleazar the priest; he will take it outside the camp and ·kill [slaughter] it in his presence.


text:
Then Eleazar the priest must put some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Meeting Tent.


text:
The whole ·cow [heifer] must be burned while he watches; the skin, the meat, the blood, and ·the intestines [its dung] must all be burned.


text:
Then the priest must take a cedar stick, a hyssop branch, and a red string [the redness of the heifer and these objects probably represent blood] and throw them onto the burning ·cow [heifer].


text:
After the priest has washed himself and his clothes with water, he may come back into the camp, but he will be unclean [in a ritual sense] until evening.


text:
The man who burns the ·cow [heifer] must wash himself and his clothes in water; he will be unclean until evening.


text:
“Then someone who is clean [in a ritual sense] will collect the ashes from the ·cow [heifer] and put them in a clean place outside the camp. The ·Israelites [community/congregation/assembly of the sons/children of Israel] will keep these ashes to use in the cleansing water, in a ·special ceremony to cleanse away sin [sin offering; or purification offering; ].


text:
The man who collected the ·cow’s [heifer’s] ashes must wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. This is a lasting ·rule [statute; ordinance; requirement] ·for the Israelites [in their midst] and for the ·foreigners [resident aliens] among them.


text:
They must ·wash themselves with the cleansing [purify themselves with the] water on the third day and on the seventh day; then they will be clean. But if they do not ·wash themselves [purify themselves] on the third day and the seventh day, they cannot be clean.


text:
If those who touch a dead person’s body ·stay unclean [do not purify themselves] and go to the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], it becomes unclean; they must be cut off from Israel. If the cleansing water is not sprinkled on them, they are unclean and will stay unclean.


text:
“This is the ·teaching [instruction; law] about someone who dies in a tent: Anyone in the tent or anyone who enters it will be unclean [in a ritual sense] for seven days.


text:
If anyone is ·outside [in the open field] and touches someone who was killed by a sword or who died [a natural death], or if anyone touches a human bone or a grave, that person will be unclean for seven days.


text:
“So you must use the ashes from the burnt sin [or purification; ] offering to make that person clean [in a ritual sense] again. Pour ·fresh [running; living] water over the ashes into a jar.


text:
A clean person must take a hyssop branch and dip it into the water, and then he must sprinkle it over the tent and all its objects. He must also sprinkle the people who were there, as well as anyone who touched a bone, or the body of someone who was killed, or a dead person, or a grave.


text:
The person who is clean must sprinkle this water on the unclean people on the third day and on the seventh day. On the seventh day they will ·become clean [be purified]. They must wash their clothes and take a bath, and they will be clean that evening.


text:
If any who are unclean do not become ·clean [purified], they must be cut off from the ·community [assembly; crowd]. Since they were not sprinkled with the cleansing water, they stay unclean, and they could make the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] unclean.


text:
This is a lasting ·rule [statute; ordinance; requirement]. Those who sprinkle the cleansing water must also wash their clothes, and anyone who touches the water will be unclean until evening.


text:
Anything an unclean person touches becomes unclean, and whoever touches it will be unclean until evening.”


text:
Moses Disobeys God In the first month all the ·people [sons; children] of Israel, the community [congregation; assembly] arrived at the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam [Moses’ sister; ; ] died and was buried.


text:
There was no water for the ·people [community; congregation; assembly], so they ·came together [assembled] against Moses and Aaron.


text:
They ·argued with [contended with; brought a case against] Moses and said, “We should have died in front of the Lord as our brothers did.


text:
Why did you bring the Lord’s ·people [community; congregation; assembly] into this ·desert [wilderness]? Are we and our animals to die here?


text:
Why did you bring us from Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain, figs, grapevines, or pomegranates, and there’s no water to drink!”


text:
So Moses and Aaron left the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] and went to the entrance of the Meeting Tent. There they ·bowed facedown [fell on their faces], and the glory of the Lord [his manifest presence] appeared to them.


text:
“Take your ·walking stick [staff], and you and your brother Aaron should gather the ·people [community; congregation; assembly]. Speak to that rock in front of them so that its water will flow from it. When you bring the water out from that rock, give it to the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] and their animals.”


text:
Moses and Aaron ·gathered [assembled] the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] in front of the rock, and Moses said, “Now listen to me, you ·who turn against God [rebels]! Do you want us [rather than God] to bring water out of this rock?”


text:
Then Moses lifted his hand and hit the rock twice with his ·stick [staff; he was supposed to speak to it, ]. Water began pouring out, and the ·people [community; congregation; assembly] and their animals drank it.


text:
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not ·believe [trust] me, and because you did not ·honor me as holy [show my holiness] before the ·people [sons/children of Israel], you will not lead ·them [this community; congregation; assembly] into the land I will give them [; ].”


text:
These are the waters of Meribah [“Argument”], where the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] ·argued with [contended with; brought a case against] the Lord and where he showed them he was holy.


text:
Edom Will Not Let Israel Pass From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom. He said, “Your brothers, the Israelites, say to you: You know about all the ·troubles [hardship] we have had,


text:
how our ·ancestors [fathers] went down into Egypt and we lived there for many years. The people of Egypt ·were cruel to [oppressed] us and our ·ancestors [fathers],


text:
but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard ·us [our voice] and sent us an ·angel [messenger] to bring us out of Egypt. “Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your ·land [boundaries].


text:
Please let us pass through your country. We will not ·touch [pass through] any fields of grain or vineyards, and will not drink water from the wells. We will travel only along the ·king’s road [King’s Highway; a north-south international highway], not turning right or left until we have passed through your ·country [boundaries].”


text:
But the king of Edom answered: “You may not pass through here. If you try, I will come and meet you with swords.”


text:
The ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] answered: “We will go along the ·main road [highway], and if we or our animals drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to walk through. That’s all.”


text:
But he answered: “You may not pass through here.” Then the Edomites went out to meet the Israelites with a large and powerful army.


text:
The Edomites refused to let them pass through their ·country [boundaries], so the Israelites turned back.


text:
Aaron Dies ·All the Israelites [The sons/children of Israel, all the community/assembly/congregation] moved from Kadesh to Mount Hor,


text:
“Aaron will ·die [be gathered to his people]. He will not enter the land that I’m giving to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], because you both ·acted [rebelled] against my command at the waters of Meribah [].


text:
and take off Aaron’s special clothes and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will die there; he will ·join his people [be gathered].”


text:
Moses obeyed the Lord’s command. They climbed up Mount Hor, and all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation] saw them go.


text:
Moses took off Aaron’s clothes and put them on Aaron’s son Eleazar. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Moses and Eleazar came back down the mountain,


text:
and when all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation] learned that Aaron was dead, ·everyone in [all the house of] Israel cried for him for thirty days.


text:
War with the Canaanites The Canaanite king of Arad lived in the ·southern area [Negev]. When he heard that the Israelites were coming on the road to Atharim, he attacked them and captured some of them.


text:
Then the Israelites made ·this promise [a vow] to the Lord: “If you will ·help us defeat these people [give this people into our hands], we will ·completely destroy [devote to the Lord] their cities.”


text:
The Lord listened to the Israelites, and he let them defeat the Canaanites. The Israelites ·completely destroyed [devoted to the Lord] the Canaanites and their cities, so the place was named Hormah [“Completely Destroyed”; “Devoted to the Lord”].


text:
The Bronze Snake The Israelites left Mount Hor and went on the road toward the ·Red [or Reed] Sea, in order to go around the country of Edom. But the people became impatient on the way


text:
and ·grumbled at [spoke against] God and Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this ·desert [wilderness]? There is no bread and no water, and we hate this terrible food!”


text:
So the Lord sent them ·poisonous [burning] snakes; they bit the people, and many of the ·Israelites [people from Israel] died.


text:
The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we ·grumbled at [spoke against] you and the Lord. Pray that the Lord will take away these snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.


text:
The Lord said to Moses, “Make a bronze snake, and put it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, that person will live.”


text:
So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Then when a snake bit anyone, that person looked at the bronze snake and lived [; ].


text:
From there they went and camped across the Arnon, in the ·desert [wilderness] just inside the Amorite country. The Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites.


text:
That is why the Book of the Wars of the Lord [a source now lost] says: “ … and Waheb in Suphah, and the ·ravines [wadis], the Arnon,


text:
and the slopes of the ·ravines [wadis] that lead to the settlement of Ar. These places are at the border of Moab.”


text:
The Israelites went from there to Beer; a well is there where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people and I will give them water.”


text:
Princes dug this well. ·Important men [Leaders of the people] made it. With their scepters and poles, they dug it.” The people went from the ·desert [wilderness] to Mattanah.


text:
From Bamoth they went to the valley of Moab where the top of Mount Pisgah looks over the ·desert [wilderness].


text:
“Let ·us [me] pass through your country. We will not go through any fields of grain or vineyards, or drink water from the wells. We will travel only along the ·king’s road [King’s Highway; ] until we have passed through your ·country [boundaries].”


text:
But King Sihon would not let the Israelites pass through his ·country [boundaries]. He gathered his whole army together, and they marched out to meet Israel in the ·desert [wilderness]. At Jahaz they fought the Israelites.


text:
Israel ·killed [struck with the sword] the king and captured his land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River. They took the land as far as the ·Ammonite border [border of the sons of Ammon], which was strongly defended.


text:
Israel captured all the Amorite cities and lived in them, taking Heshbon and all the towns around it.


text:
Heshbon was the city where Sihon, the Amorite king, lived. In the past he had fought with the king of Moab and had taken all the land from his hand as far as the Arnon.


text:
A fire ·began in [went out from] Heshbon; flames came from Sihon’s city. It destroyed Ar in Moab, and it ·burned [or swallowed] the Arnon highlands.


text:
·How terrible for [Woe to] you, Moab! The people of Chemosh are ruined. His sons ran away and his daughters were captured by Sihon, king of the Amorites.


text:
But we defeated those Amorites. We ruined their towns from Heshbon to Dibon, and we destroyed them as far as Nophah, near Medeba.”


text:
After Moses sent spies to the town of Jazer, they captured ·the towns around it [its villages], forcing out the Amorites who lived there.


text:
Then the Israelites went up the road toward Bashan. Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet the Israelites, and they fought at Edrei.


text:
The Lord said to Moses, “Don’t be afraid of him. I will hand him, his whole army, and his land over to you. Do to him what you did to Sihon, the Amorite king who lived in Heshbon.”


text:
So the Israelites ·killed [struck] Og and his sons and all his army; no one was left alive. And they took his land [; ; ; ].


text:
Balak Sends for Balaam Then the ·people [sons/children of] of Israel went to the plains of Moab, and they camped near the Jordan River across from Jericho.


text:
The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “·These people [This community/assembly/congregation] will ·take [lick up] everything around us like an ox ·eating [licking] grass.” Balak son of Zippor was the king of Moab at this time.


text:
He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, near the Euphrates River in ·his native land [or the land of Amaw]. Balak said, “A nation has come out of Egypt that covers the land. They have ·camped [settled] next to me,


text:
and they are too powerful for me. So come and put a curse on them. Maybe then I can defeat them and ·make them leave [drive them from] the area. I know that if you bless someone, the blessings happen, and if you put a curse on someone, it happens.”


text:
The elders of Moab and Midian went with ·payment [fee for divination] in their hands. When they found Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.


text:
Balaam said to them, “Stay here for the night, and I will tell you what the Lord tells me.” So the Moabite leaders stayed with him.


text:
‘A ·nation [people] has come out of Egypt that ·covers [spreads over] the land. So come and put a curse on them, and maybe I can fight them and force them out of my land.’”


text:
But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. Don’t put a curse on those people, because I have blessed them.”


text:
The next morning Balaam ·awoke [rose] and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your own country; the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”


text:
So Balak sent other leaders—this time there were more of them, and they were more ·important [distinguished].


text:
They went to Balaam and said, “Balak son of Zippor says this: Please don’t let anything stop you from coming to me.


text:
I will ·pay you very well [make you wealthy; honor you], and I will do what you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.”


text:
But Balaam answered Balak’s servants, “King Balak could give me his palace full of silver and gold, but I cannot ·disobey [transgress] the Lord my God in anything, great or small.


text:
That night God came to Balaam and said, “These men have come to ask you to go with them. Go, but only do what I tell you.”


text:
Balaam’s Donkey Speaks Balaam got up the next morning and put a saddle on his donkey. Then he went with the Moabite leaders.


text:
But God became angry because Balaam went, so the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord stood in the road to ·stop [challenge] Balaam. Balaam was riding his donkey, and he had two servants with him.


text:
When the donkey saw the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, the donkey left the road and went into the field. Balaam ·hit [struck] the donkey to force her back on the road.


text:
Later, the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord stood on a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides.


text:
Again the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, and she walked close to one wall, ·crushing [squeezing; scraping] Balaam’s foot against it. So he ·hit [struck] her again.


text:
The ·angel [messenger] of the Lord went ahead again and stood at a narrow place, too narrow to turn left or right.


text:
When the donkey saw the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. This made him so angry that he ·hit [struck] her with his stick.


text:
Then the Lord made the donkey talk, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to make you ·hit [strike] me three times?”


text:
Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made me look foolish! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!”


text:
But the donkey said to Balaam, “·I am [Am I not…?] your very own donkey, which you have ridden for years. Have I ever done this to you before?” “No,” Balaam said.


text:
Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and let Balaam see the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord, who was standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand. Then Balaam bowed facedown on the ground.


text:
The ·angel [messenger] of the Lord asked Balaam, “Why have you ·hit [struck] your donkey three times? I have stood here to ·stop [challenge] you, because what you are doing is wrong.


text:
The donkey saw me and turned away from me three times [it was more spiritually sensitive than Balaam]. If she had not turned away, I would have killed you by now, but I would have let her live.”


text:
Then Balaam said to the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord, “I have sinned; I did not know you were standing in the road to stop me. If I am wrong, I will go back.”


text:
The ·angel [messenger] of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with these men, but say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s leaders.


text:
When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at Ar in Moab, which was beside the Arnon, at the edge of his ·country [boundary].


text:
Balak said to Balaam, “·I had asked you before [Did I not send for you…?] to come quickly. Why didn’t you come to me? ·I am [Am I not…?] able to ·reward you well [give you wealth].”


text:
But Balaam answered, “I have come to you now, but I can’t say just anything. I can only say what God tells me to say.”


text:
Balak offered cattle and sheep as a sacrifice and gave some meat to Balaam and the leaders with him.


text:
The next morning Balak took Balaam to Bamoth Baal; from there he could see the edge of the ·Israelite camp [people].


text:
Balaam’s First Message Balaam said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven ·male sheep [rams] for me.”


text:
Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering [] and I will go. If the Lord comes to me, I will tell you whatever he shows me.” Then Balaam went to a ·higher place [or barren height].


text:
God came to Balaam there, and Balaam said to him, “I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered a bull and a ·male sheep [ram] on each altar.”


text:
The Lord ·told Balaam what he should say [put a word in the mouth of Balaam]. Then the Lord said, “Go back to Balak and ·give him this message [thus you will speak].”


text:
So Balaam went back to Balak. Balak and all the leaders of Moab were still standing beside his burnt offering []


text:
when Balaam gave them this ·message [or oracle; or poem]: “Balak brought me here from Aram; the king of Moab brought me from the eastern mountains. Balak said, ‘Come, put a curse on the people of Jacob for me. Come, call down evil on the people of Israel.’


text:
But ·God has not cursed them, so I cannot curse them [how can I curse what God has not cursed?]. ·The Lord has not called down evil on them, so I cannot call down evil on them [How can I call down evil on/denounce what the Lord has not called down evil/denouced?].


text:
I see them from the top of the ·mountains [cliffs]; I see them from the hills. I see a people who live alone, who think they are different from other nations [].


text:
No one can number the ·many people [dust; ; ] of Jacob, and no one can count a ·fourth [or dust cloud] of Israel. Let me die like ·good [virtuous; upright] people, and let me end up like them!”


text:
Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but you have only blessed them!”


text:
Balaam’s Second Message Then Balak said to him, “Come with me to another place, where you can also see the people. But you can only see part of them, not all of them [perhaps he could curse a part of Israel]. Curse them for me from there.”


text:
So Balak took Balaam to the field of Zophim, on top of Mount Pisgah. There Balak built seven altars and offered a bull and a ·male sheep [ram] on each altar.


text:
So Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here by your burnt offering [], and I will meet with God over there.”


text:
So the Lord came to Balaam and ·told him what to say [put a word in his mouth]. Then he said, “Go back to Balak and say ·such and such [thus].”


text:
So Balaam went to Balak, where he and the leaders of Moab were standing beside his burnt offering []. Balak asked him, “What did the Lord say?”


text:
Then Balaam gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]: “Stand up, Balak, and listen. Hear me, son of Zippor.


text:
God is not a human being, and he will not lie. He is not a human, and he does not change his mind. What he says he will do, ·he does [will he not do it?]. What he promises, ·he makes come true [will he not fulfill it/make it come true?].


text:
He ·has found [observes] no wrong in the people of Jacob; he saw no ·fault [trouble] in Israel. The Lord their God is with them, and they praise their King.


text:
No ·tricks [divination] will work on the people of Jacob, and no magic will work against Israel. People now say about ·them [Jacob], ‘Look what God has done for Israel!’


text:
The people rise up like a lioness; they get up like a lion. Lions don’t rest until they have eaten prey, until they have drunk ·their enemies’ blood [the blood of corpses].”


text:
Balaam answered Balak, “·I told [Did I not tell…?] you before that I can only do what the Lord tells me.”


text:
Balaam’s Third Message Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come, I will take you to another place. Maybe ·God will be pleased [it will be right in the eyes/sight of God] to let you curse them from there.”


text:
So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, the mountain that looks over the ·desert [wasteland; or Jeshimon].


text:
Balaam told Balak, “Build me seven altars here and prepare for me seven bulls and seven ·male sheep [rams].”


text:
Balaam saw that ·the Lord wanted [it was good in the eyes/sight of the Lord] to bless Israel, so he did not try to use any ·magic [divination] but looked toward the ·desert [wilderness].


text:
When Balaam ·saw [lifted his eyes and saw] the Israelites camped in their tribes, the Spirit of God ·took control of [was on] him,


text:
and he gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]: “This is the ·message [utterance] of Balaam son of Beor, the ·message [utterance] of a man ·who sees clearly [whose eye is open];


text:
this is the ·message [utterance] of a man who hears the words of God. I see a vision from the Almighty, and my eyes are open as I fall before him.


text:
·Your tents are beautiful [How beautiful/fair are your tents], people of Jacob! ·So are your homes [Your dwellings], Israel!


text:
Your tents spread out like ·valleys [wadis], like gardens beside a river. They are like ·spices [aloes] planted by the Lord, like cedar trees growing by the water.


text:
Israel’s water buckets will always ·be full [or flow], and their ·crops [seed] will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than Agag [perhaps a dynastic name of the Amalekites (); , ]; their kingdom will be very great.


text:
God brought them out of Egypt; they are ·as strong as [like the horns of] a wild ox. They will defeat their enemies and break their enemies’ bones; they will ·shoot [strike] them with arrows.


text:
Like a lion, they lie waiting to attack; like a lioness, ·no one would be brave enough to wake [who will rouse…?] them. Anyone who blesses you will be blessed, and anyone who curses you will be cursed [].”


text:
Then Balak was angry with Balaam, and he ·pounded his fist [or struck his hands together]. He said to Balaam, “I called you here to curse my enemies, but you have continued to bless them three times.


text:
Now go home! I said I would ·pay you well [make you wealthy], but the Lord has ·made you lose [denied you] your reward.”


text:
‘Balak could give me his ·palace [house] filled with silver and gold, but I still cannot ·go against [transgress] the Lord’s commands. I could not do anything, good or bad, on my own, but I must say what the Lord says.’


text:
Now I am going back to my own people, but I will ·tell [advise] you what these people will do to your people in the ·future [later days].”


text:
Balaam’s Final Message Then Balaam gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]: “This is the ·message [utterance] of Balaam son of Beor, the ·message [utterance] of a man ·who sees clearly [whose eye is open];


text:
this is the ·message [utterance] of a man who hears the words of God. I know well the Most High God. I see a vision from the Almighty, and my eyes are open as I fall before him.


text:
I see someone ·who will come someday [but not now], ·someone who will come, but not soon [I see him, but not near]. A star will come from Jacob; a ·ruler [scepter] will rise from Israel [Saul, then David and his descendants, including the Messiah]. He will crush the heads of the Moabites and smash the skulls of the sons of Sheth [identity uncertain].


text:
Edom will be conquered; his enemy Edom will be conquered, but Israel will grow ·wealthy [or valiant].


text:
Then Balaam saw Amalek and gave this message: “Amalek was the most important nation, but Amalek will be destroyed at last [the book of Esther tells the story of the final destruction of Amalek; Haman is a descendant of Agag; ].”


text:
Then Balaam saw the Kenites and gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]: “Your home is ·safe [enduring], like a nest on a ·cliff [rock].


text:
Ships will sail from the shores of ·Cyprus [Kittim] and ·defeat [afflict] Assyria and Eber, but they will also be destroyed.”


text:
Israel Worships Baal at Peor While the people of Israel were still camped at ·Acacia [Shittim], the men began ·sinning sexually [to prostitute themselves] with Moabite women [on the advice of Balaam who found another way to get his money; ].


text:
The women invited them to their sacrifices to their gods, and the ·Israelites [people] ate food there and worshiped these gods.


text:
So the Israelites ·began to worship [yoked themselves to] Baal of Peor, and the Lord was very angry with them.


text:
The Lord said to Moses, “Get all the leaders of the people and ·kill [impale] them in open daylight in the presence of the Lord. Then the Lord will not be angry with the people of Israel.”


text:
So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must ·put to death [kill] your people who have become ·worshipers of [yoked to] Baal of Peor.”


text:
Moses and the Israelites were gathered at the entrance to the Meeting Tent, crying there. Then an ·Israelite man [man of the sons/children of Israel] brought a Midianite woman to his ·brothers [family] in plain sight of Moses and all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly].


text:
Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, so he ·left the meeting [rose up from the community/congregation/assembly] and ·got [took in his hand] his spear.


text:
He followed the Israelite into his ·tent [vaulted/newlywed tent] and drove his spear through the belly of both the Israelite man and the Midianite woman [while they were embracing]. Then the ·terrible sickness [plague] among the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] stopped.


text:
“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has saved the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] from my anger. He hates sin as much as I do. ·Since he tried to save my honor among them [Because of his zeal in their midst], I will not kill them in my zeal.


text:
He and his ·descendants [seed] will ·always be priests [have a covenant/treaty of eternal/perpetual priesthood], because he had ·great concern for the honor of [passion/zeal for] his God. He ·removed the sins of the Israelites so they would belong to God [provided atonement for the sons/children of Israel].”


text:
The Israelite man who was ·killed [struck] with the Midianite woman was named Zimri son of Salu. He was the leader of a ·family [ancestral clan] in the tribe of Simeon.


text:
And the name of the Midianite woman who was ·put to death [struck] was Cozbi daughter of Zur, who was the chief of a Midianite ·family [ancestral clan].


text:
They have already ·made you their enemies [harrassed you], because they tricked you at Peor and because of their sister Cozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader. She was the woman who was killed when the ·sickness [plague] came because the people sinned at Peor.”


text:
The People Are Counted After the ·great sickness [plague], the Lord said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest,


text:
“·Count [Take a census of; Lift the head of] all the ·people of Israel [community/congregation of the sons/children of Israel] by ·families [clans], all the men who are twenty years old or older who will serve in the army of Israel [like a military registration; counts the generation that came out of Egypt; this counts the one that would enter the land].”


text:
Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to the people on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, across from Jericho. They said,


text:
“Count the men [supplied from ] twenty years old or older, as the Lord commanded Moses.” Here are the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] who came out of Egypt:


text:
The ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Reuben, the first son born to Israel, was counted. From Hanoch came the Hanochite ·family group [clan]; from Pallu came the Palluite ·family group [clan];


text:
from Hezron came the Hezronite ·family group [clan]; from Carmi came the Carmite ·family group [clan].


text:
and Eliab’s sons were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram were the ·leaders [conveners of the community/congregation/assembly] who turned against Moses and Aaron and ·followed [were in the assembly of] Korah when he ·turned [rebelled] against the Lord.


text:
The earth opened up and swallowed them and Korah; they died at the same time the fire burned up the 250 men []. This was a warning,


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Simeon: From Nemuel came the Nemuelite ·family group [clan]; from Jamin came the Jaminite ·family group [clan]; from Jakin came the Jakinite ·family group [clan];


text:
from Zerah came the Zerahite ·family group [clan]; from Shaul came the Shaulite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Gad: From Zephon came the Zephonite ·family group [clan]; from Haggi came the Haggite ·family group [clan]; from Shuni came the Shunite ·family group [clan];


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Judah: From Shelah came the Shelanite ·family group [clan]; from Perez came the Perezite ·family group [clan]; from Zerah came the Zerahite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] from Perez: From Hezron came the Hezronite ·family group [clan]; from Hamul came the Hamulite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Issachar: From Tola came the Tolaite ·family group [clan]; from Puah came the Puite ·family group [clan];


text:
from Jashub came the Jashubite ·family group [clan]; from Shimron came the Shimronite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Zebulun: From Sered came the Seredite ·family group [clan]; from Elon came the Elonite ·family group [clan]; from Jahleel came the Jahleelite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] of [the sons/descendants of] Manasseh: From Makir came the Makirite ·family group [clan] (Makir was the father of Gilead); from Gilead came the Gileadite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] that came from Gilead: From Iezer came the Iezerite ·family group [clan]; from Helek came the Helekite ·family group [clan];


text:
from Asriel came the Asrielite ·family group [clan]; from Shechem came the Shechemite ·family group [clan];


text:
from Shemida came the Shemidaite ·family group [clan]; from Hepher came the Hepherite ·family group [clan].


text:
(Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, and their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah [; ; ].)


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Ephraim: From Shuthelah came the Shuthelahite ·family group [clan]; from Beker came the Bekerite ·family group [clan]; from Tahan came the Tahanite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] of [the sons/descendants of] Ephraim, and the total number of men was 32,500. These are the ·family groups [clans] that came from Joseph.


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Benjamin: From Bela came the Belaite ·family group [clan]; from Ashbel came the Ashbelite ·family group [clan]; from Ahiram came the Ahiramite ·family group [clan];


text:
from Shupham came the Shuphamite ·family group [clan]; from Hupham came the Huphamite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] from Bela through Ard and Naaman: From Ard came the Ardite ·family group [clan]; from Naaman came the Naamite ·family group [clan].


text:
This was the ·family group [clan] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Dan: From Shuham came the Shuhamite ·family group [clan]. That was the ·family group [clan] of Dan,


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Asher: From Imnah came the Imnite ·family group [clan]; from Ishvi came the Ishvite ·family group [clan]; from Beriah came the Beriite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] that came from Beriah: From Heber came the Heberite ·family group [clan]; from Malkiel came the Malkielite ·family group [clan].


text:
These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Naphtali: From Jahzeel came the Jahzeelite ·family group [clan]; from Guni came the Gunite ·family group [clan];


text:
from Jezer came the Jezerite ·family group [clan]; from Shillem came the Shillemite ·family group [clan].


text:
A large tribe will get more ·land [inheritance], and a small tribe will get less ·land [inheritance]; the amount of ·land each tribe gets [inheritance] will depend on the number of its people.


text:
·Divide [Apportion] the land by drawing lots, and the land each tribe ·gets [inherits] will be named for that tribe.


text:
The tribe of Levi was also counted. These were the ·family groups [clans] of Levi: From Gershon came the Gershonite ·family group [clan]; from Kohath came the Kohathite ·family group [clan]; from Merari came the Merarite ·family group [clan].


text:
These also were Levite ·family groups [clans]: the Libnite ·family group [clan], the Hebronite ·family group [clan], the Mahlite ·family group [clan], the Mushite ·family group [clan], and the Korahite ·family group [clan]. (Kohath was the ancestor of Amram,


text:
whose wife was named Jochebed. She was from the tribe of Levi and she was born in Egypt. She and Amram had two sons, Aaron and Moses, and their sister Miriam [].


text:
But Nadab and Abihu died because they made an offering before the Lord with ·the wrong kind of [strange; unauthorized by God] fire [].)


text:
The total number of male Levites one month old or older was 23,000. But these men were not counted with the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], because they were not given any ·of the land [inheritance] among the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
Moses and Eleazar the priest counted all these people. They counted the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] on the plains of Moab across the Jordan River from Jericho.


text:
Moses and Aaron the priest had counted the Israelites in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai [], but no one Moses counted on the plains of Moab was in the first counting.


text:
The Lord had told the Israelites they would all die in the ·desert [wilderness], and the only two left were Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun [].


text:
Zelophehad’s Daughters Then the daughters of Zelophehad came near. Zelophehad was the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh. Zelophehad’s daughters belonged to the ·family groups [clans] of Manasseh son of Joseph []. The daughters’ names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.


text:
They went to the entrance of the Meeting Tent and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly]. They said,


text:
“Our father died in the ·desert [wilderness]. He was not ·one of Korah’s followers [in the community/congregation/assembly of Korah] who came together against the Lord [], but he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons.


text:
·Our father’s name will [Why should our father’s name…?] die out because he had no sons. Give us ·property [a possession] among our father’s relatives [; ].”


text:
“The daughters of Zelophehad are right; they should certainly get ·what their father owned [a possession of the inheritance in the midst of the relatives of their father]. ·Give [Pass on to] them ·property among their father’s relatives [the inheritance of their father].


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], ‘If a man dies and has no son, then ·everything he owned should go [pass on his inheritance] to his daughter.


text:
If he has no daughter, then ·everything he owned should go [you should give his inheritance] to his brothers.


text:
If he has no brothers, then ·everything he owned should go [you should give his inheritance] to his father’s brothers.


text:
And if his father had no brothers, then ·everything he owned should go [you should give his inheritance] to the nearest relative in his ·family group [clan]. This should be a ·rule [statute; ordinance; requirement] among the ·people [sons; children] of Israel, as the Lord has given this command to Moses.’”


text:
Joshua Is the New Leader Then the Lord said to Moses, “Climb this mountain in the Abarim Mountains, and look at the land I have given to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
After you have seen it, you will ·die and join your ancestors [be gathered to your people] as your brother Aaron ·did [was gathered; ],


text:
because you both ·acted [rebelled] against my command in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Zin. You did not honor me as holy before the people at the waters of Meribah [].” (This was at Meribah in Kadesh in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Zin.)


text:
“The Lord is the God of the spirits of all ·people [flesh]. May he ·choose a leader for these people [appoint someone over the community/assembly/congregation],


text:
who will go in and out before them. He must lead them out like sheep and bring them in; the Lord’s ·people [community; assembly; congregation] must not be like sheep without a shepherd.”


text:
So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, because my Spirit is in him. ·Put [Lay] your hand on him,


text:
and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation]. Then give him his orders ·as they watch [before their eyes].


text:
Let him share your honor so that all the ·Israelites [community/assembly/congregation of the sons/children of Israel] will ·obey [listen to] him.


text:
He must stand before Eleazar the priest, and Eleazar will get advice from the Lord by using the Urim []. At his command all the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel, the whole community/assembly/congregation] will go out, and at his command they will all come in.”


text:
Moses did what the Lord told him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation],


text:
“Give this command to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel]. Tell them: ‘Bring me food offerings made by fire, for a smell that is pleasing to me, and be sure to bring them at the ·right [appointed] time.’


text:
Say to them, ‘These are the offerings you must bring to the Lord: two male lambs, a year old, as a burnt offering [] each day. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
Also bring a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] of ·two quarts [one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour, mixed with ·one quart [one-fourth of a hin] of oil from pressed olives.


text:
Offer ·one quart [one-fourth of a hin] of wine with each lamb as a drink offering; pour it out to the Lord at the Holy Place.


text:
Offer the second lamb at ·twilight [between the two evenings]. As in the morning, also give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] and a drink offering. This offering is made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord [].


text:
Sabbath Offerings “‘On the Sabbath day you must give two male lambs, a year old, that have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. Also give a drink offering and a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []; the ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] must be four quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil.


text:
This is the burnt offering [] for every Sabbath, in addition to the daily burnt offering [] and drink offering.


text:
Monthly Offerings “‘On the first day of each month bring a burnt offering [] to the Lord. This will be two young bulls, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old, and they must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
Give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] with each bull of ·six quarts [three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil. Also give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] with the ·male sheep [ram]. It must be ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil.


text:
And give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] with each lamb of ·two quarts [one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil. This is a burnt offering [], and its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
The drink offering with each bull will be ·two quarts [half a hin] of wine, with the ·male sheep [ram] it will be ·one and one-third quarts [one-third of a hin], and with each lamb it will be ·one quart [one-fourth of a hin] of wine. This is the burnt offering [] that must be offered each month of the year.


text:
Besides the daily burnt offerings [] and drink offerings, bring a ·sin [or purification] offering [] of one goat to the Lord.


text:
The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day of that month. For seven days, you may eat only bread made without ·yeast [leaven].


text:
Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the first day of the festival, and don’t work that day.


text:
Bring to the Lord an offering made by fire, a burnt offering [] of two young bulls, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
With each bull give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] of ·six quarts [three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil. With the ·male sheep [ram] it must be ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil.


text:
With each of the seven lambs, it must be ·two quarts [one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil.


text:
Bring one goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [], to ·remove your sins so you will belong to God [make atonement for yourself].


text:
So bring food for the offering made by fire each day for seven days, for a smell that is pleasing to the Lord. Do it in addition to the daily burnt offering [] and its drink offering.


text:
The Feast of Weeks “‘On the day of firstfruits when you bring new grain to the Lord during the Feast of Weeks [], have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation]. Don’t work that day.


text:
Bring this burnt offering [] to the Lord: two young bulls, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. This smell is pleasing to the Lord.


text:
Also, with each bull give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] of ·six quarts [three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With the ·male sheep [ram], it must be ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah] of flour,


text:
Bring these offerings and their drink offerings in addition to the daily burnt offering [] and its ·grain [gift; tribute] offering []. The animals must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
The Feast of Trumpets “‘Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the first day of the seventh month, and don’t work on that day. That is the day you blow the trumpets.


text:
Bring these burnt offerings [] as a smell pleasing to the Lord: one young bull, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
With the bull give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] of ·six quarts [three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With the ·male sheep [ram] offer ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah],


text:
Offer one male goat for a ·sin [or purification] offering [] to ·remove your sins so you will belong to God [make atonement for yourself].


text:
These offerings are in addition to the monthly [] and daily burnt offerings [; ]. Their ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [] and drink offerings must be done as you have been told. These offerings are made by fire to the Lord, and their smell is pleasing to him.


text:
The Day of Atonement “‘Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the tenth day of the seventh month [; ]. On that day do not eat and do not work.


text:
With the bull give a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] of ·six quarts [three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With the ·male sheep [ram] it must be ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah],


text:
Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering []. This will be in addition to the sin [or purification] offering [] which ·removes your sins [makes atonement for you], the daily burnt offering [; ] with its ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [], and the drink offerings.


text:
The Feast of Shelters “‘Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and do not work on that day. Celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days [].


text:
Bring these burnt offerings [], made by fire, as a smell pleasing to the Lord: thirteen young bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
With each of the thirteen bulls offer a ·grain [gift; tribute] offering [] of ·six quarts [three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With each of the two ·male sheep [rams] it must be ·four quarts [two-tenths of an ephah],


text:
Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [] in addition to the daily burnt offering [; ] with its ·grain [gift; tribute; ] and drink offerings.


text:
“‘On the second day of this festival give an offering of twelve bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
Bring the ·grain [gift; tribute; ] and drink offerings for the bulls, sheep, and lambs, according to the number required.


text:
Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [], in addition to the daily burnt offering [; ] with its ·grain [gift; tribute; ] and drink offerings.


text:
“‘On the third day offer eleven bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
“‘On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [], in addition to the daily burnt offering [] with its ·grain [gift; tribute; ] and drink offerings.


text:
“‘On the fifth day offer nine bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
“‘On the sixth day offer eight bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
“‘On the seventh day offer seven bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
“‘On the eighth day have a ·closing meeting [closing/festive assembly], and do not work on that day.


text:
Bring an offering made by fire, a burnt offering [], as a smell pleasing to the Lord. Offer one bull, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].


text:
Bring the ·grain [gift; tribute; ] and drink offerings for the bull, the ·male sheep [ram], and the lambs, according to the number required.


text:
Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification; ] offering, in addition to the daily burnt offering [; ] with its grain [gift; tribute; ] and drink offerings.


text:
“‘At your ·festivals [sacred/solemn convocations] you should bring these to the Lord: your burnt offerings [], ·grain [gift; tribute] offerings [], drink offerings and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings []. These are in addition to other ·promised [votive] offerings and special gifts you want to give to the Lord.’”


text:
Rules About Special Promises Moses spoke with the leaders of the ·Israelite tribes [tribes of the sons/children of Israel]. He told them these commands from the Lord.


text:
“If a man makes a ·promise [vow] to the Lord or ·says he will do something special [swears an oath to bind himself to an obligation], he must ·keep his promise [not break his word]. He must do what he said [; ; ; ].


text:
If a young woman still living at ·home [the house of her father] makes a ·promise [vow] to the Lord or ·pledges to do something special [binds herself to an obligation],


text:
and if her father hears about the ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation by which she has bound herself] and says nothing, ·she must do what she promised [all her vows stand]. ·She must keep her pledge [All her obligations to which she has bound herself will stand].


text:
But if her father hears about the ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation by which she has bound herself] and ·does not allow it [disapproves], then the ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation] does not ·have to be kept [stand]. Her father ·would not allow it [disapproves], so the Lord will ·free her from her promise [forgive her].


text:
“If a woman ·makes a pledge [binds herself to an obligation] or speaks a ·careless [rash; thoughtless] ·promise [vow] and then gets married,


text:
and if her husband hears about it and says nothing, ·she must keep her promise [her vow stands] ·or the pledge she made [and the obligation by which she bound herself will stand].


text:
But if her husband hears about it and ·does not allow it [disapproves], he cancels her ·pledge [vow] or the ·careless [rash; thoughtless] ·promise [vow] ·she made [by which she bound herself]. The Lord will ·free her from keeping it [forgive her].


text:
“If a widow or divorced woman makes a ·promise [vow], ·she must do whatever she promised [all by which she bound herself stands].


text:
“If a woman makes a ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [binds herself in an obligation] ·while she is married [in the house of her husband],


text:
and if her husband hears about it but says nothing and does not ·stop her [disapprove], ·she must keep her promise [all her vows stand] ·or pledge [and all that to which she bound herself will stand].


text:
But if her husband hears about it and cancels it, ·she does not have to do what she said [her vow and all that which she bound herself do not stand]. Her husband has canceled it, so the Lord will ·free her from it [forgive her].


text:
A woman’s husband may make her keep or cancel any ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation] she has made to ·deny [mortify] herself.


text:
If he says nothing to her about it for several days, ·she must keep her promises [her vows stand]. If he hears about them and says nothing, ·she must keep her promises [the obligations by which she bound herself will stand].


text:
But if he cancels them long after he heard about them, he ·is responsible if she breaks her promise [will bear her guilt].”


text:
These are ·commands [statutes; ordinances; requirements] that the Lord gave to Moses for husbands and wives, and for fathers with ·daughters living at home [his daughters in her youth in the house of her father].


text:
“·Pay back [Avenge] the Midianites for what they did to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel; ]; after that you will ·die [be gathered to your people].”


text:
So Moses said to the people, “·Get some men ready [Arm some men] for war. The Lord will use them to ·pay back [avenge himself against] the Midianites.


text:
So twelve thousand men ·got ready for war [were armed], out of the thousands of Israel a thousand men from each tribe.


text:
Moses sent ·those men [a thousand from each tribe] to war; Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest was with them. He took with him the ·holy things [or vessels of the Holy Place] and the trumpets for giving the alarm.


text:
Among those they killed were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, who were the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with a sword [; ; ; ; ; ; ; ].


text:
The ·Israelites [sons of Israel] captured the Midianite women and children, and they took all their flocks, herds, and goods.


text:
but they took all the ·people and animals and goods [plunder and all the spoil, both people and animals].


text:
Then they brought the captives, the ·animals, and the goods [spoil and the plunder] back to Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the ·Israelites [community/assembly/congregation of the sons/children of Israel]. Their camp was on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, across from Jericho.


text:
Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the ·people [community; assembly; congregation] went outside the camp to meet them.


text:
Moses was angry with the army officers, the commanders over a thousand men, and those over a hundred men, who returned from war.


text:
They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice [] and turned the ·Israelites [community/assembly/congregation of Israel] from the Lord at Peor. Then a ·terrible sickness [plague] struck the Lord’s people [].


text:
Kill all the Midianite boys, and kill all the Midianite women who have ·had sexual relations [known a man by going to bed with him].


text:
But save for yourselves the girls who have not ·had sexual relations with a man [known a man by going to bed with him].


text:
“All you men who killed anyone or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp for seven days []. On the third and seventh days you and your captives must make yourselves clean [in a ritual sense].


text:
Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to war, “These are the ·teachings [statutes/ordinances/requirements of the law/instruction] that the Lord gave to Moses:


text:
anything that will not burn—into the fire, and then it will be clean. But also purify those things with the cleansing water. Then they will be clean. If something cannot stand the fire, wash it with the water.


text:
On the seventh day wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may come into the camp.”


text:
“You, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the ·family groups [clans of the community/assembly/congregation] should take a count of the ·goods [spoils], the men, and the animals that were taken.


text:
Then divide ·those possessions [the spoil] between the soldiers who went to war and the ·rest of the people [community; assembly; congregation].


text:
From the soldiers who went to war, take a ·tax [tribute] for the Lord of one item out of every five hundred. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, or sheep.


text:
And from the ·people’s half [half of the sons/children of Israel], take one item out of every fifty. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals. Give that to the Levites, who take care of the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].”


text:
and 32,000 women who had not ·had sexual relations with a man [known a man by going to bed with him].


text:
From the ·people’s [sons/children of Israel’s] half Moses took one item out of every fifty for the Lord. This included the animals and the people. Then he gave them to the Levites, who took care of the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. This was what the Lord had commanded Moses.


text:
Then the officers of the army, the commanders of a thousand men and commanders of a hundred men, came to Moses.


text:
They told Moses, “We, your servants, have ·counted [taken a census of; lifted the head of] our soldiers ·under our command [in our hand], and not one of them is missing.


text:
So we have brought the Lord a ·gift [offering] of the gold things that each of us found: arm bands, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces. These are to ·remove our sins so we will belong to [make atonement for ourselves before] the Lord.”


text:
So Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from them, which had been made into all kinds of objects.


text:
The commanders of a thousand men and the commanders of a hundred men gave the Lord the gold, and all of it together weighed about ·420 pounds [16,750 shekels];


text:
Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from the commanders of a thousand men and the commanders of a hundred men. Then they put it in the Meeting Tent as a memorial before the Lord for the ·people [sons; children] of Israel.


text:
The Tribes East of the Jordan The ·people [sons; descendants] of Reuben and ·Gad [the sons/descendants of Gad] had large flocks and herds. When they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were good for the animals,


text:
they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the ·people [community; assembly; congregation].


text:
They said, “We, your servants, have flocks and herds. The Lord has ·captured [struck] for the ·Israelites [the community/assembly/congregation of Israel] a land that is good for animals—the land around Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon.


text:
If ·it pleases you [we have found grace in your eyes], we would like this land ·to be given to us [as a possession for your servants]. Don’t make us cross the Jordan River.”


text:
Moses told the ·people of Gad [sons/descendants of Gad] and ·Reuben [the sons/descendants of Reuben], “Shall your brothers go to war while you stay ·behind [here]?


text:
·You will [Why should you…?] discourage the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] from going over to the land the Lord has given them.


text:
They went as far as the ·Valley of [Wadi] Eshcol, and when they saw the land, they discouraged the hearts of the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] from going into the land the Lord had given them.


text:
‘None of the people who came from Egypt and who are twenty years old or older will see the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These people have not ·followed me [or been loyal to me] completely.


text:
Only Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun ·followed [or were loyal to] the Lord completely [].’


text:
“The Lord was angry with Israel, so he made them wander in the ·desert [wilderness] for forty years. Finally all the ·people [generation] who had ·sinned against [done evil in the eyes/sight of] the Lord died,


text:
and now you ·are acting [have risen up] just like your ·ancestors [fathers]! You sinful people are making the Lord even more angry with Israel.


text:
If you quit following him, it will add to their stay in the ·desert [wilderness], and you will destroy all these people.”


text:
Then ·the Reubenites and Gadites [they] came up to Moses and said, “We will build ·pens for our animals [sheepfolds for our flocks] and cities for our children here.


text:
Then our children will be in strong, walled cities, safe from the people who live in this land. Then we will prepare for war. We will help the other ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] get their land,


text:
and we will not return home until every Israelite has ·received his land [inherited their inheritance].


text:
We won’t ·take [inherit] any of the land west of the Jordan River; our ·part of the land [inheritance] is east of the Jordan.”


text:
After the Lord helps us take the land, you may return home. You will ·have done your duty to [be free of your obligation; be innnocent before] the Lord and Israel, and you may have this land as ·your own [a possession before the Lord].


text:
“But if you don’t do these things, you will be sinning against the Lord; know for sure that ·you will be punished for your sin [your sin will find you].


text:
Build cities for your children and ·pens for your animals [sheepfolds for your flocks], but then you must do what you ·promised [said].”


text:
The ·Gadites [sons/descendants of Gad] and ·Reubenites [the sons/descendants of Reuben] said to Moses, “We are your servants, and we will do what you, our ·master [lord], command.


text:
but we, your servants, will prepare for battle. We will go over and fight for the Lord, as you, our ·master [lord], have said.”


text:
So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the leaders of the clans of the tribes of ·Israel [sons/children of Israel].


text:
Moses said to them, “If the ·Gadites [sons/descendants of Gad] and ·Reubenites [the sons/descendants of Reuben] prepare for battle and cross the Jordan River with you, to go before the Lord and help you take the land, give them the land of Gilead ·for their own [as a possession].


text:
The ·Gadites [sons/descendants of Gad] and ·Reubenites [the sons/descendants of Reuben] answered, “We are your servants, and we will do as the Lord said.


text:
We will cross over into Canaan and go before the Lord ready for battle. But ·our land [the possession of our inheritance] will be ·east of [beyond] the Jordan River.”


text:
So Moses gave that land to the tribes of ·Gad [the sons/descendants of Gad], ·Reuben [the sons/descendants of Reuben], and ·East [the half tribe of] Manasseh. (Manasseh was Joseph’s son.) That land had been the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan, as well as all the cities and the land around them.


text:
The ·descendants [sons] of Makir son of Manasseh went and captured Gilead and forced out the Amorites who were there.


text:
Jair son of Manasseh went out and captured the ·small towns [villages] there, and he called them the ·Towns of Jair [or Villages of Jair; or Havvoth-jair].


text:
Israel’s Journey from Egypt These are the places the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] went as Moses and Aaron led them out of Egypt in divisions [like an army].


text:
At the Lord’s command Moses ·recorded [wrote down] the places they went, and these are the places they went.


text:
On the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover [], the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] left Rameses and marched out ·boldly [with a high hand] in front of all the Egyptians [].


text:
The Egyptians were burying their firstborn sons, whom the Lord had ·killed [struck]; the Lord ·showed that the gods of Egypt were false [or even executed judgment against their gods; ].


text:
They left Etham and went back to Pi Hahiroth, to the east of Baal Zephon, and camped near Migdol [].


text:
They left Pi Hahiroth and walked through the sea into the ·desert [wilderness; ]. After going three days through the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Etham, they camped at Marah [].


text:
They left Marah and went to Elim; there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees where they camped [].


text:
Aaron the priest obeyed the Lord and went up Mount Hor. There he died on the first day of the fifth month in the fortieth year after the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] left Egypt [].


text:
The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the ·southern area of Canaan [Negev], heard that the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] were coming [].


text:
They left the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho.


text:
They camped along the Jordan on the plains of Moab, and their camp went from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Acacia [].


text:
“Speak to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] and tell them, ‘When you cross the Jordan River and go into Canaan,


text:
force out all the people who live there. Destroy all of their carved statues and metal idols. Wreck all of their ·places of worship [high places; worship sites that became associated with pagan worship or inappopriate worship of Yahweh; ].


text:
Throw lots [perhaps the Urim and Thummim; ; ] to ·divide up [apportion] the land by ·family groups [clans], giving larger portions to larger ·family groups [clans] and smaller portions to smaller ·family groups [clans]. The land will be given as the lots decide; each tribe will get its own land.


text:
“‘But if you don’t force those people out of the land, they will bring you trouble. They will be like ·sharp hooks [barbs] in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will bring trouble to the land where you live.


text:
“Give this command to the ·people [sons/children] of Israel: ‘You will soon enter Canaan and ·it will be yours. These shall be the borders […this is the land that will fall to you as an inheritance, the land of Canaan according to its borders/boundaries]:


text:
On the south you will get part of the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Zin near the border of Edom. On the east side your southern border will start at the south end of the ·Dead [Salt] Sea,


text:
cross south of ·Scorpion Pass [or the Ascent of Akrabbim], and go through the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Zin and south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon.


text:
From Azmon it will go to the ·brook [wadi] of Egypt, and it will end at the ·Mediterranean Sea [Sea].


text:
“‘Your northern border will begin at the ·Mediterranean [Great] Sea and ·go [mark/draw a line] to Mount Hor.


text:
Then the border will go to Ziphron, and it will end at Hazar Enan. This will be your northern border.


text:
From Shepham the border will go ·east of [down to] Ain to Riblah and ·along [go down to] the hills east of ·Lake [the Sea of] ·Galilee [Kinnereth].


text:
Then the border will go down along the Jordan River and end at the ·Dead [Salt] Sea. “‘These are the borders around your country.’”


text:
So Moses gave this command to the Israelites: “This is the land you will ·receive [inherit]. Throw lots [perhaps the Urim and Thummim; ; ] to divide it among the nine and one-half tribes, because the Lord commanded that it should be theirs.


text:
The tribes of ·Reuben [the sons/descendants of Reuben] by their families [clans], ·Gad [the sons/descendants of Gad] by their families [clans], and ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh have already ·received [inherited] their land.


text:
These two and one-half tribes received ·land [their inheritance] east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho [].”


text:
“These are the names of the men who will ·divide [apportion] the land for inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun.


text:
The Lord commanded these men to ·divide [apportion] for inheritance the land of Canaan among the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel].


text:
The Levites’ Towns The Lord spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab across from Jericho by the Jordan River. He said,


text:
“Command the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] to give the Levites cities to live in from the ·land [possession] they ·receive [inherit]. Also give the Levites the pastureland around these cities.


text:
Then the Levites will have cities where they may live and pastureland for their cattle, flocks, and other animals.


text:
The pastureland you give the Levites will extend ·fifteen hundred feet [a thousand cubits] from the city wall.


text:
Also measure ·three thousand feet [two thousand cubits] in each direction outside the city wall—·three thousand feet [two thousand cubits] east of the city, ·three thousand feet [two thousand cubits] south of the city, ·three thousand feet [two thousand cubits] west of the city, and ·three thousand feet [two thousand cubits] north of the city, with the city in the center. This will be pastureland for the Levites’ cities.


text:
Cities of Safety “Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of ·safety [refuge]. A person who accidentally kills someone may run to one of those cities for ·safety [refuge]. You must also give forty-two other cities to the Levites;


text:
The larger tribes of ·Israel [the sons/children of Israel] must give more cities, and the smaller tribes must give fewer cities. Each tribe must give some of its cities to the Levites, but the number of cities they give will depend on the size of their land.”


text:
“Tell the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] these things: ‘When you cross the Jordan River and go into Canaan,


text:
you must choose cities to be cities of ·safety [refuge], so that a person who ·accidentally [unintentionally] kills someone may run to them for ·safety [refuge].


text:
There the person will be safe from the dead person’s ·relative who has the duty of punishing the killer [avenger; near-kinsman]. He will not die before he ·receives a fair trial in court [stands before the community/assembly/congregation for judgment].


text:
Give three cities ·east of [beyond] the Jordan River and three cities in Canaan as cities of ·safety [refuge].


text:
These six cities will be places of ·safety [refuge] for ·citizens [sons; children] of Israel, as well as for ·foreigners [resident aliens] and ·other people living with you [tenants]. Any of these people who ·accidentally [unintentionally] kills someone may run to one of these cities.


text:
Anyone who takes a rock and ·kills [strikes] a person with it is a murderer. He must be put to death.


text:
Anyone who picks up a piece of wood and ·kills [strikes] someone with it is a murderer. He must be put to death.


text:
A ·relative of the dead person [near-relative; avenger of blood] must put the murderer to death; when they meet, the relative must kill the murderer.


text:
A person might shove someone out of hatred or throw something at someone while lying in wait and cause death.


text:
Or a person might ·hit [strike] someone with his hand and cause death. If it were done from hate, the person is a murderer and must be put to death. A ·relative of the dead person [near-relative; avenger of blood] must kill the murderer when they meet.


text:
“‘But a person might suddenly shove someone, and not from hatred. Or a person might ·accidentally [without lying in wait] throw something and ·hit [strike] someone.


text:
Or a person might drop a rock on someone he couldn’t see and kill that person. There was no plan to hurt anyone and ·no hatred for the one who was killed [they were not enemies].


text:
If that happens, the ·community [assembly; congregation] must judge between the ·relative of the dead person [near-relative; avenger of blood] and the ·killer [striker], according to these rules.


text:
·They [The community/assembly/congregation] must protect the killer from the ·dead person’s relative [near-relative; avenger of blood], sending the killer back to the original city of ·safety [refuge], to stay there until the high priest dies (the high priest ·had the holy oil poured on him [was anointed with holy oil]).


text:
If a ·relative of the dead person [near-relative; avenger of blood] finds the killer outside the city, the ·relative [near-relative; avenger of blood] may kill that person and ·not be guilty of murder [there will be no bloodguilt].


text:
The killer must stay in the city of ·safety [refuge] until the high priest dies. After the high priest dies, the killer may ·go home [return to the land of his possession].


text:
“‘These ·laws [statutes/ordinances/requirements and judgments] are for you ·from now on [throughout your generations], wherever you live.


text:
“‘If anyone ·kills [strikes] a person, the murderer may be put to death only if there are witnesses. No one may be put to death with only one witness.


text:
“‘Don’t take ·money to spare the life of [ransom for] a murderer who should be put to death. A murderer must be put to death.


text:
“‘If someone has run to a city of ·safety [refuge], don’t take money to let the person go back home before the high priest dies.


text:
“‘Don’t let murder ·spoil [pollute; defile] your land. The only way to ·remove the sin [atone for] of killing an innocent person is for the murderer to be put to death.


text:
I am the Lord, and I live among the Israelites. I live in that land with you, so do not ·spoil [pollute; defile] it with murder.’”


text:
Land for Zelophehad’s Daughters The leaders of ·Gilead’s family group [the clan of the sons/descendants of Gilead] went to talk to Moses and the leaders of the ·families [clans] of ·Israel [sons/children of Israel]. (Gilead was the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, the son of Joseph.)


text:
They said, “The Lord commanded you, our ·master [lord], to give the land for inheritance to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] by throwing lots [perhaps the Urim and Thummim; ; ], and the Lord commanded you, our master [lord], to give for inheritance the land of Zelophehad, our brother, to his daughters [].


text:
But if his daughters marry ·men [sons] from other tribes of ·Israel [the sons/children of Israel], then ·that land will leave our family [their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our ancestors/fathers], and the people of the other tribes will get that land. So ·we will lose some of our land [part of our allotted portion will be lost].


text:
When the time of Jubilee [every fiftieth year; ] comes for the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel], their land will go to the tribes of the people they marry; ·their land will be taken away from us, the land we received from our fathers [the inheritance of the tribe of our ancestors/fathers will be deprived of inheritance].”


text:
Then Moses gave the ·Israelites [the sons/children of Israel] this command from the Lord: “These men from the ·tribe [sons; descendants] of Joseph are right.


text:
This is the Lord’s command to Zelophehad’s daughters: You may marry anyone you wish, as long as the person is from ·your [a clan of your] own tribe.


text:
In this way the ·Israelites’ land [inheritance of the sons/children of Israel] will not pass from tribe to tribe, and each ·Israelite [son/child of Israel] will keep the land in the tribe that belonged to his ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
A woman who inherits her father’s land may marry, but she must marry someone from ·her own [a clan of her own] tribe. In this way every ·Israelite [son/child of Israel] will keep the land that belonged to his ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
The ·land [inheritance] must not pass from tribe to tribe, and each ·Israelite tribe [tribe of the sons/children of Israel] will keep the land it ·received [inherited] from its ·ancestors [fathers].”


text:
So Zelophehad’s daughters—Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah—married ·their cousins, their father’s relatives [sons of their father’s brothers].


text:
Their husbands were from the ·tribe of [clan of the sons of] Manasseh son of Joseph, so their ·land [inheritance] stayed in their father’s ·family group [clan] and tribe.


text:
These were the laws and commands that the Lord gave to the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] through Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River, across from Jericho.


text:
Moses Talks to the Israelites ·This is the message [These are the words] Moses gave to all the people of Israel in the ·desert [wilderness] east of the Jordan River. They were in the ·desert [wilderness] area near Suph, between Paran and the towns of Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.


text:
·Forty years after the Israelites had left Egypt [In the fortieth year], on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses told the ·people [sons; children] of Israel everything the Lord had commanded him to tell them.


text:
This was after the Lord had ·defeated [struck] Sihon and Og. Sihon was king of the Amorite people and lived in Heshbon. Og was king of Bashan and lived in Ashteroth and Edrei [].


text:
Now ·the Israelites [they] were ·east of [beyond] the Jordan River in the land of Moab, and there Moses began to ·explain [make clear] ·what God had commanded [this law/instruction]. He said:


text:
The Lord our God spoke to us at ·Mount Sinai [Horeb; another name for Sinai] and said, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain.


text:
·Get ready [Turn face], and go to the mountain country of the Amorites, and to all the places around there—the ·Jordan Valley [Arabah], the mountains, the ·western hills [Shephelah], the ·southern area [Negev], the seacoast, the land of Canaan, and Lebanon. Go as far as the great river, the Euphrates [].


text:
See, I have given you this land, so go in and take it for yourselves. The Lord ·promised it [swore] to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants [; ].”


text:
Moses Appoints Leaders At that time I said, “I am not able to ·take care of you [lift you up; bear you] by myself.


text:
The Lord your God has made you grow in number so that there are as many of you as there are stars in the ·sky [heavens; ; ; ; ].


text:
I pray that the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers], will give you a thousand times more people and ·do all the wonderful things [bless you as] he promised.


text:
·But I cannot take care of [How can I lift up/bear…?] your problems, your troubles, and your arguments by myself.


text:
So choose some men from each tribe—wise men who have ·understanding [discernment] and experience—and I will make them leaders over you.”


text:
So I took the wise and experienced leaders of your tribes, and I made them your leaders. I appointed commanders over a thousand people, over a hundred people, over fifty people, and over ten people and made them officers over your tribes.


text:
Then I told your ·leaders [judges], “Listen to the arguments between your people. Judge fairly between two ·Israelites [relatives; brothers] or between an ·Israelite [relative; brother] and a ·foreigner [resident alien].


text:
When you judge, ·be fair to everyone [do not show favoritism]; don’t act as if one person is more important than another, and don’t be ·afraid of [intimidated by] anyone, because your decision comes from God. Bring the hard cases to me, and I will judge them.”


text:
Spies Enter the Land Then, as the Lord our God commanded us, we left ·Mount Sinai [Horeb; ] and went toward the mountain country of the Amorite people. We went through that ·large [vast] and terrible ·desert [wilderness] you saw, and then we came to Kadesh Barnea.


text:
I said to you, “You have now come to the mountain country of the Amorites, to the land the Lord our God will give us.


text:
Look, here it is! Go up and ·take [possess] it. The Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers], told you to do this, so don’t be afraid and don’t ·worry [be dismayed].”


text:
Then all of you came to me and said, “Let’s send men before us to spy out the land. They can come back and ·tell us [bring back a report] about the way we should go and the cities we will find [].”


text:
·I thought that was a good idea [The matter was good/right in my eyes], so I ·chose [took] twelve of your men, one for each tribe.


text:
They ·left [turned face] and went up to the mountains, and when they came to the ·Valley of [Wadi] Eshcol they ·explored [spied on] it.


text:
They took some of the fruit from that land and brought it down to us, ·saying [and gave us a report, saying], “It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us.”


text:
Israel Refuses to Enter But you refused to go. You ·would not obey [rebelled against] the command of the Lord your God,


text:
but grumbled in your tents, saying, “The Lord hates us. He brought us out of Egypt just to give us to the Amorites, who will destroy us.


text:
Where can we go now? ·The spies we sent have [Our relatives/brothers] made ·us afraid [our hearts melt], because they said, ‘The people there are stronger and taller than we are. The cities are big, with walls up to the ·sky [heavens]. And we saw the Anakites there []!’”


text:
The Lord your God will go ahead of you and fight for you as he did in Egypt; ·you saw him do it [before your eyes].


text:
And in the ·desert [wilderness] you saw how the Lord your God carried you, like one carries a child []. And he has brought you safely all the way to this place.”


text:
he had always gone before you to find places for you to camp. In a fire at night and in a cloud during the day, he showed you which way to go.


text:
“I promised a good land to your ·ancestors [fathers], but none of ·you evil people [this evil generation] will see it.


text:
Only Caleb son of Jephunneh will see it []. I will give him and his descendants the land he walked on, because he followed the Lord completely [; ].”


text:
but ·your assistant [the one who stands before you], Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to take the land for their own.


text:
“Your little children that you said would be ·captured [plunder], who do not know right from wrong at this time, will go into the land. I will give the land to them, and they will ·take it for their own [possess it].


text:
But you must turn ·around [face] and follow the ·desert [wilderness] road toward the ·Red [or Reed] Sea [].”


text:
Then you said to me, “We have sinned against the Lord, but now we will go up and fight, as the Lord our God commanded us.” Then all of you put on weapons, thinking it would be easy to go into the mountains.


text:
But the Lord said to me, “Tell the people, ‘You must not go up there and fight. I will not be with you, and your enemies will defeat you.’”


text:
So I told you, but you would not listen. You ·would not obey [rebelled against] the Lord’s command. You were ·proud [presumptuous], so you went on up into the mountains,


text:
and the Amorites who lived in those mountains came out and fought you. They ·chased [swarmed over] you like bees and ·defeated [struck] you from ·Edom [Seir; another name for Edom] to Hormah [].


text:
So you came back and cried before the Lord, but the Lord did not listen to you; he refused to pay attention to you.


text:
Israel Wanders in the Desert Then we turned ·around [face], and we traveled on the ·desert [wilderness] road toward the ·Red [or Reed] Sea [], as the Lord had told me to do. We traveled through the mountains of ·Edom [Seir; ] for many days.


text:
and give the people this command: ‘You will soon go through the land that belongs to your ·relatives [brothers], the ·descendants [sons] of Esau who live in ·Edom [Seir; ]. They will be afraid of you, but be very careful.


text:
Do not go to war against them. I will not give you any of their land—not even a foot of it, because I have given the mountains of ·Edom [Seir; ] to Esau as his own.


text:
The Lord your God has blessed everything you have done; he has protected you while you traveled through this ·great desert [vast wilderness]. The Lord your God has been with you for the past forty years, and you have had everything you needed.


text:
So we passed by our ·relatives [brothers], the ·descendants [sons] of Esau who lived in ·Edom [Seir; ]. We turned off the ·Jordan Valley [Arabah] road that comes from the towns of Elath and Ezion Geber and traveled along the ·desert [wilderness] road to Moab [].


text:
The Land of Ar Then the Lord said to me, “Don’t ·bother [harrass] the people of Moab. Don’t go to war against them, because I will not give you any of their land as your own; I have given Ar to the ·descendants [sons] of Lot as their own.”


text:
(The Emites, who lived in ·Ar [it] before, were strong people, and there were many of them. They were very tall, like the Anakites.


text:
The Emites were thought to be ·Rephaites [or Rephaim; , ; ], like the Anakites, but the Moabite people called them Emites.


text:
The Horites also lived in ·Edom [Seir; ] before, but the ·descendants [sons] of Esau forced them out and destroyed them, taking their place as Israel did in the land the Lord gave them as their own.)


text:
And the Lord said to me, “Now get up and cross the Zered ·Valley [Wadi].” So we crossed the ·valley [wadi].


text:
It had been thirty-eight years from the time we left Kadesh Barnea until we crossed the Zered ·Valley [Wadi]. By then, all the fighting men ·from that time [of that generation] had died, as the Lord had ·promised [sworn] would happen [].


text:
The [hand of the] Lord ·continued to work [was] against them to remove them from the camp until they were all dead.


text:
When you come near the ·people [sons; descendants] of Ammon, don’t ·bother [harrass] them or go to war against them, because I will not give you any of their land as your own. I have given it to the ·descendants [sons] of Lot for their own.”


text:
(That land was also thought to be a land of the ·Rephaites [or Rephaim; ], because those people used to live there, but the Ammonites called them Zamzummites.


text:
They were strong people, and there were many of them; they were very tall, like the Anakites. The Lord destroyed the Zamzummites, and the Ammonites forced them out of the land and took their place.


text:
The Lord did the same thing for the ·descendants [sons] of Esau, who lived in ·Edom [Seir; ], when he destroyed the Horites. ·The Edomites [They] forced them out of the land and took their place, and they live there to this day.


text:
The ·Cretan people [Caphtorim; better known as Philistines] came from ·Crete [Caphtor] and destroyed the Avvites, who lived in towns all the way to Gaza; the ·Cretans [Caphtorim] destroyed them and took their place.)


text:
Fighting the Amorites The Lord said, “Get up and cross the Arnon ·Ravine [Wadi]. See, I am ·giving you the power to defeat [putting in your hand] Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and I am giving you his land []. So fight against him and begin taking his land.


text:
Today I will begin to make all the people ·in the world [under heaven] afraid of you. When they hear reports about you, they will shake with fear, and they will be terrified of you.”


text:
I sent messengers from the ·desert [wilderness] of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon. ·They offered him […with words/messages of] peace, saying,


text:
“If you let us pass through your country, · we will stay on the road and [I will] not turn right or left.


text:
We will pay you in silver for any food we eat or water we drink. We only want to walk through your country.


text:
The ·descendants [sons] of Esau in ·Edom [Seir; ] let us go through their land, and so did the Moabites in Ar. We want to cross the Jordan River into the land the Lord our God has given us.”


text:
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass, because the Lord your God had ·made him stubborn [hardened his spirit and made his heart defiant]. The Lord wanted ·you to defeat Sihon, and now this has happened [to give him into your hand as it is on this day].


text:
The Lord said to me, “See, I have begun to give Sihon and his country to you. Begin taking the land as your own.”


text:
We captured all his cities at that time and ·completely destroyed them [devoted them to the Lord; ; ], as well as the men, women, and children. We left no one alive.


text:
We defeated Aroer on the edge of the Arnon ·Ravine [Wadi], and we defeated the town in the ·ravine [wadi], and even as far as Gilead. No ·town was too strong [or citadel was too high] for us; the Lord our God gave us all of them.


text:
But you did not go near the land of the ·Ammonites [sons/descendants of Ammon], on the shores of the Jabbok ·River [Wadi], or the towns in the mountains, as the Lord our God had commanded.


text:
The Battle at Bashan When we turned and went up the road toward Bashan, Og king of Bashan and all his army came out to fight us at Edrei.


text:
The Lord said to me, “Don’t be afraid of Og, because I will hand him, his whole army, and his land over to you. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon [].”


text:
So the Lord our God gave ·us [into our hands] Og king of Bashan and all his army; we ·defeated [struck] them and ·left no one alive [there were no survivors].


text:
Then we captured all of Og’s cities, all sixty of them, and took the whole area of Argob, Og’s kingdom in Bashan.


text:
All these were ·strong [fortified] cities, with high walls and ·gates [double doors] with bars. And there were also many small towns with no walls.


text:
We ·completely destroyed them [devoted them to the Lord; ; ], just like the cities of Sihon king of Heshbon. We killed all the men, women, and children,


text:
So at that time we took the land ·east of [beyond] the Jordan River, from the Arnon ·Ravine [Wadi] to Mount Hermon, from these two Amorite kings.


text:
We captured all the cities on the high plain and all of Gilead, and we took all of Bashan as far as Salecah and Edrei, towns in Og’s kingdom of Bashan.


text:
(Only Og king of Bashan was left of the few ·Rephaites [or Rephaim; ]. His bed was made of iron, and it was more than ·thirteen feet [nine cubits] long and ·six feet [four cubits] wide! It is still in the ·Ammonite city [city of the sons/descendants of Ammon] of Rabbah.)


text:
The Land Is Divided At that time we took this land to be our own. I gave the people of Reuben and Gad the land from Aroer by the Arnon Ravine, as well as half of the mountain country of Gilead and the cities in it [].


text:
To the people of ·East [the half-tribe of] Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. (The area of Argob in Bashan was called the land of the ·Rephaites [or Rephaim; ].


text:
Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole area of Argob, all the way to the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. So that land was named for Jair, and even today Bashan is called the Towns of Jair.)


text:
I gave the ·Reubenites [sons of Reuben] and the ·Gadites [sons of Gad] the land that begins at Gilead and goes from the Arnon ·Ravine [Wadi] (the middle of the Arnon is the border) to the Jabbok ·River [Wadi], which is the ·Ammonite border [border of the sons of Ammon].


text:
The border on the west was the Jordan River in the ·Jordan Valley [Arabah], and it goes from ·Lake [or the Sea of] ·Galilee [of the Arabah] to the ·Dead [Salt] Sea west of Mount Pisgah.


text:
At that time I gave you this command: “The Lord your God has given you this land ·as your own [to possess it]. Now your fighting men must take their weapons, and you must lead ·the other Israelites [your brothers, the sons/children of Israel] across the river.


text:
Your wives, your young children, and your cattle may stay here. I know you have many cattle, and they may stay here in the cities I have given you,


text:
until the Lord also gives your ·Israelite relatives [brothers] a place to rest. They will receive the land the Lord your God has given them on the other side of the Jordan River. After that, you may each return to ·the land I have given you [your possession].”


text:
Then I gave this command to Joshua at that time: “·You [Your eyes] have seen for yourself all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. The Lord will do the same thing to all the kingdoms where you are ·going [crossing over].


text:
“Lord God, you have begun to show me, your servant, ·how great you are [your greatness and your strong hand]. ·You have great strength, and no [What…?] other god in heaven or on earth can do the powerful things you do. There is no other god like you.


text:
Please let me cross ·the [beyond the] Jordan River so that I may see the good land by the Jordan. I want to see the beautiful mountains and Lebanon.”


text:
But the Lord was angry with me because of you [], and he would not listen to me. The Lord said to me, “That’s enough from you. Don’t talk to me anymore about it.


text:
Climb to the top of Mount Pisgah and ·look [lift your eyes to the] west, north, south, and east. You can look ·at the land [with your eyes], but you will not cross the Jordan River [].


text:
·Appoint [Charge; Commission] Joshua and help him be brave and strong. He will lead the people across the river and give them the land that they are to inherit, but you can only look at it.”


text:
Moses Tells Israel to Obey Now, Israel, listen to the ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands I will teach you. Obey them so that you will live and so that you will go over and ·take [possess] the land the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers], is giving to you.


text:
Don’t add to ·these commands [the word], and don’t leave anything out, but obey the commands of the Lord your God that I ·give [command] you.


text:
·You [Your eyes] have seen for yourselves what the Lord did at Baal Peor, how the Lord your God destroyed everyone among you who ·followed [walked after] Baal in Peor [].


text:
Look, I have taught you the ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and rules the Lord my God commanded me. Now you can obey the laws in the land you are entering, in the land you will ·take [possess].


text:
·Obey these laws carefully [Keep/Guard and do/obey], in order to show the other nations that you have wisdom and ·understanding [discernment]. When they hear about these laws, they will say, “This great nation of Israel is wise and ·understanding [discerning].”


text:
·No [What…?] other nation is as great as we are. Their gods do not come near them, but the Lord our God comes near when we pray to him.


text:
·And no [What…?] other nation has such good ·teachings [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands as those I am giving to you today.


text:
But be ·careful [on guard]! Watch out and don’t forget the things ·you [your eyes] have seen. Don’t ·forget them [let them turn aside/slip from your heart/mind] ·as long as you live [all the days of your life], but ·teach them [make them known] to your children and grandchildren.


text:
Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at ·Mount Sinai [Horeb; another name for Sinai]. He said to me, “·Bring the people together [Assemble the people] so I can ·tell them [let them hear] what I have to say. Then they will ·respect [fear] me ·as long as [all the days] they live in the land, and they will teach these things to their children.”


text:
When you ·came [approached] and stood at the bottom of the mountain, it blazed with fire that reached to the sky, and black clouds made it very dark [].


text:
The Lord spoke to you from the fire. You heard the sound of words, but you did not see ·him [a form]; there was only a voice.


text:
The Lord told you about his ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty], the Ten ·Commandments [Words]. He told you to obey them, and he wrote them on two stone tablets.


text:
Then at that time the Lord commanded me to teach you the ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and rules that you must obey in the land you will ·take [possess] when you cross ·the Jordan River [there].


text:
Laws About Idols Since the Lord spoke to you from the fire at ·Mount Sinai [Horeb; ], but you did not see ·him [any form], watch yourselves carefully!


text:
Don’t ·sin [ruin/destroy/spoil/corrupt yourselves] by making idols of any kind, and don’t make statues—of men or women,


text:
When you ·look up at [lift your eyes to] the ·sky [heavens], you see the sun, moon, and stars, and ·everything in the sky [all the host of heaven]. But don’t bow down and worship them [; ], because the Lord your God has ·made these things [apportioned them] for all people everywhere [].


text:
But the Lord brought you out of Egypt, ·which tested you like a furnace for melting iron [the iron-smelter; ; ], and he made you his ·very own people [inheritance], as ·you are now [this day].


text:
The Lord was angry with me because of you, and he swore that I would not cross the Jordan River to go into the good land the Lord your God is giving you as ·your own [an inheritance].


text:
I will die here in this land and not cross the Jordan [], but you will soon go across and take that good land.


text:
Be careful. Don’t forget the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty] of the Lord your God that he made with you, and don’t make any idols for yourselves, as the Lord your God has commanded you not to do.


text:
The Lord your God is a jealous God [; ; ; ; ; ], ·like a fire that burns things up [a consuming fire].


text:
Even after you have ·lived [grown old; or become complacent] in the land a long time and have had children and grandchildren, don’t ·do evil things [ruin/destroy/spoil/corrupt yourselves]. Don’t make any kind of idol, and don’t do what ·the Lord your God says is evil [what is evil/wrong in the eyes of the Lord your God], because that will make him angry.


text:
If you do, I ask heaven and earth to ·speak [witness] against you this day that you will quickly be removed from this land that you are crossing the Jordan River to ·take [possess]. You will not live there long after that, but you will be completely destroyed.


text:
The Lord will scatter you among the other nations. Only a few of you will be left alive, and those few will be in other nations where the Lord will ·send [lead] you.


text:
There you will ·worship [serve] gods made by ·people [human hands], gods made of wood and stone, that cannot see, hear, eat, or smell.


text:
But even there you can look for the Lord your God, and you will find him if you look for him with ·your whole being [all your heart/mind and all your inner being].


text:
It will be ·hard [distressful] when all these things happen to you. But after that you will come back to the Lord your God and ·obey [hear] him,


text:
because the Lord your God is a merciful God [; ; ; ; ]. He will not ·leave [fail] you or ·destroy [ruin; spoil] you. He will not forget the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty] with your ·ancestors [fathers], which he ·swore [promised] to them.


text:
The Lord Is Great ·Nothing like this has ever happened before! Look at the past [Ask about the former days], long before ·you were even born [you]. Go all the way back to when God ·made [created] humans on the earth [], and look from one end of heaven to the other. ·Nothing like this has ever [Has anything as great as this…?] been heard of!


text:
·No [What…?] other god has ever taken for himself one nation out of another. But the Lord your God did this for you in Egypt, right before your own eyes. He did it with tests, signs, miracles, war, and great sights, by his ·great power [strong hand] and ·strength [outstretched arm].


text:
He ·showed you [revealed] things so you would know that the Lord is God, and there is no other God besides him.


text:
He spoke to you from heaven to ·teach [instruct; or discipline] you. He ·showed [revealed to] you his great fire on earth, and you heard him speak from the fire.


text:
Because the Lord loved your ·ancestors [fathers; ], he chose you, their ·descendants [seed], and he brought you out of Egypt himself by his great strength.


text:
He ·forced [dispossessed] nations out of their land ahead of you, nations that were bigger and stronger than you were. The Lord did this so he could bring you into their land and give it to you as your ·own [inheritance], ·and this land is yours today [as it is this day].


text:
Know and ·believe [take to heart; bear in mind] today that the Lord is God. He is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other god!


text:
Obey his ·laws [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands that I am giving you today so that things will go well for you and your children. Then you will live a long time in the land that the Lord your God is giving to you forever.


text:
where a person who ·accidentally [unintentionally] killed someone could go []. If the person was not killed because of hatred, the murderer’s life could be saved by running to one of these cities.


text:
These were the cities: Bezer in the ·desert [wilderness] high plain was for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead was for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan was for the Manassites.


text:
The Laws Moses Gave These are the ·teachings [laws; instructions] Moses gave to the ·people [sons; children] of Israel.


text:
They are the rules, ·commands [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and laws he gave ·them [the sons/children of Israel] when they came out of Egypt.


text:
They were in the ·valley [glen] near Beth Peor, ·east of [beyond] the Jordan River, in the land of Sihon. Sihon king of the Amorites ruled in Heshbon and was ·defeated [struck] by Moses and the ·Israelites [sons/children of Israel] as they came out of Egypt [].


text:
·The Israelites [They] took his land and the land of Og king of Bashan [], the two Amorite kings east ·of [beyond] the Jordan River.


text:
It included all the ·Jordan Valley [Arabah] ·east of [beyond] the Jordan River, and it went as far as the ·Dead [Salt] Sea below Mount Pisgah.


text:
The Ten Commandments Moses called all the people of Israel together and said: Listen, Israel, to the ·commands [statutes; requirements; ordinances] and laws I am ·giving you [speaking in your ears] today. Learn them and obey them carefully.


text:
He did not ·make [cut] this ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty] with our ·ancestors [fathers], but he made it with us, with all of us who are alive here today.


text:
(At that time I stood between you and the Lord in order to tell you what the Lord said; you were afraid of the fire, so you would not go up on the mountain.) The Lord said:


text:
“I am the Lord your God; I brought you out of the land of Egypt ·where you were slaves [from the house of bondage].


text:
“You must not make for yourselves any idols or anything to worship that looks like something in the ·sky [heavens] above or on the earth below or in the water below the ·land [earth].


text:
You must not worship or serve ·any idol [them], because I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God []. ·If people sin against me and hate me, I will punish their children, even their grandchildren and great-grandchildren [I will visit/punish the guilt of the fathers on the sons until the third and fourth generations of those who hate me].


text:
“You must not ·use the name of the Lord your God thoughtlessly [take/lift up the name of the Lord your God in vain], because the Lord will ·punish [not hold/treat as innocent; not acquit] anyone who ·uses [takes in vain] his name in this way.


text:
“·Keep [Observe] the Sabbath ·as a holy day [to consecrate/sanctify it], as the Lord your God has commanded you.


text:
but the seventh day is a ·day of rest to honor [Sabbath to] the Lord your God. On that day no one may do any work: not you, your son or daughter, your male or female slaves, your ox, your donkey, or any of your animals, or the ·foreigners [resident aliens] living in your cities. That way your servants may rest as you do.


text:
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there by his ·great power [strong hand] and ·strength [extended arm]. So the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.


text:
“Honor your father and your mother as the Lord your God has commanded you. Then you will live ·a long time [for many days], and things will go well for you in the land that the Lord your God is going to give you.


text:
“You must not ·want to take [covet] your neighbor’s wife. You must not ·want to take [covet] your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female slaves, his ox or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor [this final commandment indicates that the previous commandments also involve attitudes, not just actions].”


text:
The Lord spoke these ·commands [words] to ·all of you [your whole community/congregation/assembly] on the mountain in a loud voice out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness; he did not say anything else. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets, and he gave them to me.


text:
When you heard the voice from the darkness, as the mountain was blazing with fire, all the leaders of your tribes and your elders ·came to [approached] me.


text:
And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory [his manifest presence] and ·majesty [greatness], and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks to him.


text:
But now, ·we will [why should we … ?] die! This great fire will burn us up, and we will die if we hear the Lord our God speak anymore.


text:
·No human being [For who of all flesh…?] has ever heard the living God speaking from a fire and still lived, but we have.


text:
Moses, you go near and listen to everything the Lord our God says. Then you tell us what the Lord our God tells you, and we will listen and obey.”


text:
The Lord heard what you said to me, and he said to me, “I have heard what the people said to you. Everything they said was good.


text:
·I wish [If only] their ·hearts [minds] would always ·respect [fear] me and that they would always obey my commands so that things would go well for them and their children forever!


text:
but you stay here with me so that I may give you all the commands, ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and laws that you must teach the people to obey in the land I am giving them as their ·own [possession].”


text:
So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you, and ·follow the commands exactly [do not turn aside to the right or to the left].


text:
·Live the way [Walk on the way/path that] the Lord your God has commanded you so that you may live and have what is good and have a long life in the land you will ·take [possess].


text:
The Command to Love God These are the commands, ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and laws that the Lord your God told me to teach you to obey in the land you are crossing the Jordan River to ·take [possess].


text:
You, your children, and your grandchildren must ·respect [fear] the Lord your God ·as long as you live [all the days of your life]. Obey all his ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and commands I give you so that ·you will live a long time [your days will be long].


text:
Listen, Israel, and carefully obey these laws. Then all will go well for you, and you will become a great nation in a ·fertile land [land flowing with milk and honey; ], just as the Lord, the God of your ·ancestors [fathers], has promised you [; ].


text:
·Teach [Recite; Repeat] them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.


text:
·Write them down and tie [Bind] them to your hands as a sign. Tie them ·on your forehead [between your eyes] ·to remind you [as an emblem/headband/frontlet],


text:
The Lord your God will bring you into the land he promised to your ·ancestors [fathers], to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he will give it to you [; ]. The land has large, ·growing [good; fine] cities you did not build,


text:
houses full of good things you did not ·buy [fill], ·wells [cisterns] you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. You will eat as much as you want.


text:
But be careful! Do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt ·where you were slaves [from the house of bondage].


text:
·Respect [Fear] the Lord your God. You must ·worship [serve] him and make your ·promises [oaths; vows] only in his name.


text:
because the Lord your God is a jealous God []. He is present with you, and if you worship other gods, he will become angry with you and destroy you from the earth.


text:
Be sure to obey the commands of the Lord your God and the ·rules [statutes; requirements; ordinances] and laws he has given you.


text:
Do what ·the Lord says is good and right [is good and right in the Lord’s eyes] so that things will go well for you. Then you may go in and ·take [possess] the good land the Lord promised to your ·ancestors [fathers; ; ].


text:
In the future when your children ask you, “What is the meaning of the laws, ·commands [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and rules the Lord our God gave us?”


text:
tell them, “We were slaves to the king of Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt ·by his great power [with a strong hand].


text:
The Lord showed us great and terrible signs and miracles, which he did to Egypt, the king, and his whole ·family [house].


text:
The Lord brought us out of Egypt to lead us here and to give us the land he promised our ·ancestors [fathers; ; ].


text:
The Lord ordered us to obey all these ·commands [statutes; ordinances; requirements] and to ·respect [fear] the Lord our God so that we will always do well and stay alive, as we are today.


text:
The right thing for us to do is this: Obey all these rules in the presence of the Lord our God, as he has commanded.”


text:
You Are God’s People The Lord your God will bring you into the land that you are entering and that you will ·have as your own [possess]. As you go in, he will ·force out [clear away/out] these nations: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—seven nations that are stronger than you.


text:
The Lord your God will hand these nations over to you, and when you ·defeat [strike] them, you must ·destroy them completely [devote them to the Lord; ; ]. Do not ·make [cut] a ·peace treaty [covenant] with them or show them any mercy.


text:
Do not marry any of them, or let your daughters marry their sons, or let your sons marry their daughters.


text:
If you do, those people will turn your children away from me, to begin serving other gods. Then the Lord will be very angry with you, and he will quickly destroy you.


text:
This is what you must do to those people: Tear down their altars, smash their holy stone pillars, cut down their ·Asherah idols [Asherah; ; ], and burn their idols in the fire.


text:
You are holy people who belong to the Lord your God. He has chosen you from all the people on earth ·to be his very own [as his treasured/special possession; ].


text:
The Lord did not ·care [have affection] for you and choose you because there were many of you—you are the smallest nation of all.


text:
But the Lord chose you because he loved you, and he kept his promise to your ·ancestors [fathers; ; ]. So he brought you out of Egypt by his ·great power [strong hand] and ·freed [ransomed; redeemed] you from the ·land of slavery [house of bondage], from the ·power [hand] of the king of Egypt.


text:
So know that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God. He will ·keep [guard] his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] of love for a thousand ·lifetimes for people [generations] who love him and obey his commands.


text:
But he will pay back those people who hate him. He will destroy them, and he will not be slow to pay back those who hate him.


text:
So be careful to obey the commands, ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements], and laws I give you today.


text:
If you pay attention to these laws and obey them carefully, the Lord your God will keep his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] and show his ·love [loyalty] to you, as he promised your ·ancestors [fathers].


text:
He will love and bless you. He will ·make the number of your people grow; he will bless you with children [multiply the fruit of your womb]. ·He will bless your fields with good crops and will give you grain, new wine, and oil […and the fruit of your land, your grain, new wine, and oil]. ·He will bless your herds with calves and your flocks with lambs […the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flocks] in the land he promised your ·ancestors [fathers] he would give you.


text:
You will be blessed more than any other people []. ·Every husband and wife will have children, and all your cattle will have calves [There will be no barrenness or sterility among you or your livestock].


text:
The Lord will take away all disease from you; ·you will not have [he will not inflict you with] the terrible diseases that were in Egypt, but he will give them to all the people who hate you.


text:
You must ·destroy [devour] all the people the Lord your God hands over to you. Do not ·feel sorry for [pity] them, and do not ·worship [serve] their gods, or they will trap you.


text:
You might say ·to yourselves [in your hearts], “Because these nations are stronger than we are, ·we can’t [how can we…?] ·force them out [dispossess them].”


text:
But don’t be afraid of them. Remember what the Lord your God did to all of Egypt and ·its king [Pharaoh].


text:
·You [Your eyes] saw for yourselves the troubles, signs, and miracles he did, how the Lord’s ·great power [strong hand] and ·strength [outstretched arm] brought you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will do the same thing to all the nations you now fear.


text:
The Lord your God will also send ·terror [or pestilence; or hornets] among them so that even those who are alive and hiding from you will die.


text:
Don’t ·be afraid of [dread] them, because the Lord your God is with you; he is a great God and ·people are afraid of him [awesome].


text:
When the Lord your God ·forces those nations out [clears away/out those nations] of the land, he will do it little by little ahead of you. You won’t be able to destroy them all at once; otherwise, the wild animals will grow too many in number [because of the reduced population].


text:
But the Lord your God will hand those nations over to you, ·confusing [panicking] them until they are destroyed.


text:
The Lord will ·help you defeat their kings [give their kings into your hand], and ·the world will forget who they were [you will destroy their name from under the heavens]. No one will be able to ·stop you [stand against you]; you will destroy them all.


text:
Burn up their idols in the fire. Do not ·wish for [covet] the silver and gold they have, and don’t take it for yourselves, or you will be trapped by it. The Lord your God ·hates [despises] it.


text:
Do not bring one of those ·hateful [despised] things into your house, or you will be ·completely destroyed [devoted to the Lord; ; ] along with it. ·Hate [Detest] and reject those things; they must be ·completely destroyed [devoted to the Lord; ; ].


text:
Remember the Lord Carefully obey every command I give you today. Then you will live and ·grow in number [multiply], and you will enter and ·take [possess] the land the Lord promised your ·ancestors [fathers; ; ].


text:
Remember ·how the Lord your God has led [all the way the Lord brought] you in the ·desert [wilderness] for these forty years, ·taking away your pride [humbling you] and testing you, because he wanted to know what was in your heart. He wanted to know if you would obey his commands.


text:
He ·took away your pride [humbled you] when he let you get hungry, and then he fed you with manna [], which neither you nor your ·ancestors [fathers] had ever seen. This was to teach you that a person does not live on bread alone, but by everything the Lord says [].


text:
Know in your heart that the Lord your God ·corrects [instructs; disciplines] you as a parent ·corrects [instructs; disciplines] a child.


text:
Obey the commands of the Lord your God, ·living as he has commanded you [going in his way] and ·respecting [fearing] him.


text:
The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with ·rivers [wadis] and pools of water, with ·springs [deeps; underground water] that flow in the valleys and hills,


text:
It is a land where you will have ·plenty of food [no scarcity of food/bread], where you will have everything you need, where the rocks are iron, and where you can ·dig [mine] copper out of the hills.


text:
When you ·have all you want to eat [eat and are satisfied], then ·praise [bless] the Lord your God for giving you a good land.


text:
Be careful not to forget the Lord your God so that you ·fail to obey [do not keep] his commands, laws, and ·rules [statutes; ordinances; requirements] that I am giving to you today.


text:
when your herds and flocks ·grow large [multiply] and your silver and gold ·increase [multiply], ·when you have more of everything [and all you have multiplies],


text:
then your heart will ·become proud [be lifted up/exalted]. You will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, ·where you were slaves [from the house of bondage].


text:
He led you through the ·large [vast] and ·terrible [awesome] ·desert [wilderness] that was dry and had no water, and that had ·poisonous [burning] snakes and stinging insects. He gave you water from a ·solid [or flint] rock []


text:
and manna to eat in the ·desert [wilderness; ]. Manna was something your ·ancestors [fathers] had never seen. He did this to ·take away your pride [humble you] and to test you, so things would go well for you in the end.


text:
You might say ·to yourself [in your heart/mind], “I am rich because of ·my own power and strength [the power and strength of my hand; ],”


text:
but remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the power to become rich, keeping the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] he promised to your ·ancestors [fathers], as it is today.


text:
If you ever forget the Lord your God and ·follow [go after] other gods and ·worship [serve] them and bow down to them, I ·warn you [testify/witness to you] today that you will be destroyed.


text:
Just as the Lord destroyed the other nations for you, you can be destroyed if you do not ·obey [listen to the voice of] the Lord your God.


text:
The Lord Will Be with Israel Listen, Israel. You will soon cross the Jordan River to go in and ·force out [dispossess] nations that are bigger and stronger than you. They have large cities with ·walls [fortifications] up to the ·sky [heavens].


text:
The people there are ·Anakites [sons/descendants of the Anakim], who are strong and tall [; ]. You know about them, and you have heard it said: “·No one can stop [Who can stand up to…?] the ·Anakites [the sons/descendants of Anak].”


text:
But today remember that the Lord your God goes in before you to destroy them like a ·fire that burns things up [consuming fire]. He will defeat ·them [and subdue them] ahead of you, and you will force them out and destroy them quickly, just as the Lord has said.


text:
After the Lord your God has forced those nations out ahead of you, don’t say ·to yourself [in your heart/mind], “The Lord brought me here to take this land because I am so ·good [righteous].” No! It is because these nations are evil that the Lord will ·force them out [dispossess them] ahead of you.


text:
You are going in to ·take [possess] the land, not because ·you are good and honest [of your righteousness or the integrity/virtue of your heart/mind], but because these nations are evil. That is why the Lord your God will ·force them out [dispossess them] ahead of you, to keep his promise to your ·ancestors [fathers], to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [; ].


text:
The Lord your God is giving you this good land to ·take [possess] as your own. But know this: It is not because you are ·good [righteous]; you are a ·stubborn [stiff-necked] people.


text:
Remember the Lord’s Anger Remember this and do not forget it: You made the Lord your God angry in the ·desert [wilderness]. You ·would not obey [rebelled against] the Lord from the day you left Egypt until you arrived here.


text:
When I went up on the mountain to receive the stone tablets, the tablets with the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty] the Lord had ·made [cut] with you, I stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights; I did not eat bread or drink water.


text:
The Lord gave me two stone tablets, which God had written on with his own finger [the Ten Commandments; ; ]. On them were all the commands that the Lord gave to you on the mountain out of the fire, on the day ·you were gathered there [of the assembly].


