Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. read more.
Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: Move away from these men. I will destroy them instantly. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation? Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the congregation: 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation: Move away from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and were standing at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children. Moses said: This is how you will know that Jehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn't my idea: If these men die a natural death like all other people Jehovah has not sent me. But if Jehovah does something totally new, if the ground opens up, swallows them and everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive to their graves; then you will know that these men have treated Jehovah with contempt. When he finished speaking, the ground under them split, and the earth opened up to swallow them, their families, the followers of Korah, and all their property. They went down alive to their graves with everything that belonged to them. The ground covered them. They disappeared from the assembly. All the Israelites around them ran away when they heard their screams. They thought the ground would swallow them, also. Fire came from Jehovah and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.



All these your servants will come down to me and bow themselves before me. They will say: Go out, you and all the people who follow you. Then I will go out. He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

Moses asked about the goat for the sin offering and learned that it had already been burned. This made him angry with Eleazar and Ithamar. He demanded:

Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.

On hearing their outcry and what they said I was very angry.

Then I made protests to the chiefs of Judah, and said to them: What is this evil you are doing, not keeping the Sabbath day holy?

I took up the cause against them, cursing them and giving blows to some of them and pulling out their hair. I made them take an oath by God, saying: You are not to give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.

He will confiscate your male and female slaves, your best cattle, and your donkeys for his own use.

Here I am! Testify against me before Jehovah and before his anointed one. Whose bull have I stolen? Whose donkey have I taken? Have I cheated anyone? Have I oppressed any? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make it right.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.

The men in charge of the work were very honest. There was no need to require them to account for the funds.

The people answered: You have not cheated us or oppressed us. You have not taken anything from anyone.

The man told Joab: Even if I felt the weight of twenty pounds of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king's son. We heard the order the king gave you, Abishai, and Ittai. Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.

The prophet answered: Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you.

Elisha the prophet answered: By the living God Jehovah whom I serve, I swear that I will not accept a gift. Naaman insisted that he accept it, but he would not.

Since the workmen are honest, do not require them to account for the money you give them.

Earlier rulers who came before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver. Even their servants were lords over the people. But I did not do so, out of reverence for God.

Open your hearts to us. We wronged no person. We wronged and corrupted no one. We took advantage of no person.


They said to each other: Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.

Korah son of Izhar, Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth dared to challenge Moses. Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben. These four men were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men, well known leaders of the congregation. The assembly chose them. They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? read more.
When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: Move away from these men. I will destroy them instantly. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation? Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the congregation: 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation: Move away from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and were standing at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children. Moses said: This is how you will know that Jehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn't my idea: If these men die a natural death like all other people Jehovah has not sent me. But if Jehovah does something totally new, if the ground opens up, swallows them and everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive to their graves; then you will know that these men have treated Jehovah with contempt. When he finished speaking, the ground under them split, and the earth opened up to swallow them, their families, the followers of Korah, and all their property. They went down alive to their graves with everything that belonged to them. The ground covered them. They disappeared from the assembly. All the Israelites around them ran away when they heard their screams. They thought the ground would swallow them, also. Fire came from Jehovah and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.


And what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben, when the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, their tents, and every living thing that followed them in all Israel.

The ground split open and swallowed Dathan. It buried Abiram's followers.

and Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram were the sons of Eliab. It was Dathan and Abiram, men chosen by the community, who defied Moses and Aaron's authority. They joined Korah's followers when they defied Jehovah's authority.

Korah son of Izhar, Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth dared to challenge Moses. Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben. These four men were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men, well known leaders of the congregation. The assembly chose them. They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? read more.
When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: Move away from these men. I will destroy them instantly. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation? Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the congregation: 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation: Move away from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and were standing at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children. Moses said: This is how you will know that Jehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn't my idea: If these men die a natural death like all other people Jehovah has not sent me. But if Jehovah does something totally new, if the ground opens up, swallows them and everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive to their graves; then you will know that these men have treated Jehovah with contempt. When he finished speaking, the ground under them split, and the earth opened up to swallow them, their families, the followers of Korah, and all their property. They went down alive to their graves with everything that belonged to them. The ground covered them. They disappeared from the assembly. All the Israelites around them ran away when they heard their screams. They thought the ground would swallow them, also. Fire came from Jehovah and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.


Korah son of Izhar, Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth dared to challenge Moses. Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben. These four men were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men, well known leaders of the congregation. The assembly chose them. They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? read more.
When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.

The men in charge of the work were very honest. There was no need to require them to account for the funds.

The people answered: You have not cheated us or oppressed us. You have not taken anything from anyone.

The man told Joab: Even if I felt the weight of twenty pounds of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king's son. We heard the order the king gave you, Abishai, and Ittai. Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.

The prophet answered: Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you.

Elisha the prophet answered: By the living God Jehovah whom I serve, I swear that I will not accept a gift. Naaman insisted that he accept it, but he would not.

Since the workmen are honest, do not require them to account for the money you give them.

Earlier rulers who came before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver. Even their servants were lords over the people. But I did not do so, out of reverence for God.

Open your hearts to us. We wronged no person. We wronged and corrupted no one. We took advantage of no person.



Moses asked about the goat for the sin offering and learned that it had already been burned. This made him angry with Eleazar and Ithamar. He demanded:

Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.

On hearing their outcry and what they said I was very angry.

Suddenly the power of Jehovah made him strong. He went to Ashkelon, where he killed thirty men. He stripped them and gave their fine clothes to the men who had solved the riddle. He returned home, furious about what had happened.

When he heard this news, God's Spirit came over him. He became very angry.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.


And what he did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben, when the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, their tents, and every living thing that followed them in all Israel.

Korah son of Izhar, Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth dared to challenge Moses. Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben. These four men were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men, well known leaders of the congregation. The assembly chose them. They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? read more.
When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: Move away from these men. I will destroy them instantly. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation? Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the congregation: 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation: Move away from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and were standing at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children. Moses said: This is how you will know that Jehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn't my idea: If these men die a natural death like all other people Jehovah has not sent me. But if Jehovah does something totally new, if the ground opens up, swallows them and everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive to their graves; then you will know that these men have treated Jehovah with contempt. When he finished speaking, the ground under them split, and the earth opened up to swallow them, their families, the followers of Korah, and all their property. They went down alive to their graves with everything that belonged to them. The ground covered them. They disappeared from the assembly. All the Israelites around them ran away when they heard their screams. They thought the ground would swallow them, also. Fire came from Jehovah and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense. Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell Eleazar, son of the priest Aaron, to take the incense burners out of the fire and scatter the coals and incense somewhere else. This is because the incense burners have become holy. The incense burners of these men who sinned and lost their lives are holy, because they were offered to Jehovah. Hammer them into thin metal sheets to cover the altar. This will be a sign to the Israelites. The priest Eleazar took the copper incense burners that had been brought by those who had been burned to death. The incense burners were then hammered into thin metal sheets to cover the altar. He followed Jehovah's command given through Moses. The copper-covered altar will remind Israel that no one but a descendant of Aaron may come near to burn incense to Jehovah. Everyone else will die like Korah and his followers.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.


Korah son of Izhar, Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth dared to challenge Moses. Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben. These four men were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men, well known leaders of the congregation. The assembly chose them. They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? read more.
When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: Move away from these men. I will destroy them instantly. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation? Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the congregation: 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation: Move away from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and were standing at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children. Moses said: This is how you will know that Jehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn't my idea: If these men die a natural death like all other people Jehovah has not sent me. But if Jehovah does something totally new, if the ground opens up, swallows them and everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive to their graves; then you will know that these men have treated Jehovah with contempt. When he finished speaking, the ground under them split, and the earth opened up to swallow them, their families, the followers of Korah, and all their property. They went down alive to their graves with everything that belonged to them. The ground covered them. They disappeared from the assembly. All the Israelites around them ran away when they heard their screams. They thought the ground would swallow them, also. Fire came from Jehovah and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.



Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.

Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of the companies and battalions, who were returning from battle.

But Moses replied: I am not a powerful speaker. If the sons of Israel will not listen to me, why should the king of Egypt?

Moses heard people from every family cry at the entrance to their tents. Jehovah became very angry. Moses did not like it either. So he asked: Jehovah, why have you brought me this trouble? How have I displeased you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Am I their mother? Did I give birth to them? Are you really asking me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries a baby, all the way to the land you promised their ancestors with an oath? read more.
Where can I get meat for all these people? They continually cry for me to give them meat to eat. I am not able to take care of all these people by myself. This is too much work for me! If you treat me like this have pity on me and kill me. That way I will not have to endure my shame any longer.

Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation in front of the rock and said to them: Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock for you?

Moses went back to Jehovah and asked: Why have you brought this trouble on your people? Why did you send me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak for you, he has treated your people cruelly, and you have done nothing at all to rescue your people.


Only you and your sons may do the work of priests, everything done at the altar and under the canopy. This is my gift to you: You may serve me as priests. Anyone else who comes near the holy place to do this work must die.

However when he became powerful, his pride destroyed him. He was unfaithful to Jehovah his God. He went into Jehovah's Temple to burn incense on the incense altar. Azariah the priest went in after him with eighty of Jehovah's courageous priests. They opposed King Uzziah. They said to him: Uzziah, you have no right to burn incense as an offering to Jehovah. That right belongs to the priests, Aaron's descendants, who have been given the holy task of burning incense. Get out of the holy place because you have been unfaithful. Jehovah God will not honor you for this. read more.
Uzziah held an incense burner in his hand. He became angry. As his anger with the priests grew, a skin disease broke out on his forehead. This happened in front of the priests in Jehovah's Temple as Uzziah was at the incense altar. When the chief priest Azariah and all the priests turned toward him, a skin disease was on his forehead. They rushed him away. Uzziah was in a hurry to get out because Jehovah had inflicted him with the disease. King Uzziah had a skin disease until the day he died. Since he had a skin disease, he lived in a separate house and was barred from Jehovah's Temple. His son Jotham was in charge of the royal palace and governed the country.

Korah son of Izhar, Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth dared to challenge Moses. Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben. These four men were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men, well known leaders of the congregation. The assembly chose them. They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? read more.
When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: Move away from these men. I will destroy them instantly. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation? Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the congregation: 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation: Move away from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and were standing at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children. Moses said: This is how you will know that Jehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn't my idea: If these men die a natural death like all other people Jehovah has not sent me. But if Jehovah does something totally new, if the ground opens up, swallows them and everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive to their graves; then you will know that these men have treated Jehovah with contempt. When he finished speaking, the ground under them split, and the earth opened up to swallow them, their families, the followers of Korah, and all their property. They went down alive to their graves with everything that belonged to them. The ground covered them. They disappeared from the assembly. All the Israelites around them ran away when they heard their screams. They thought the ground would swallow them, also. Fire came from Jehovah and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.


Korah son of Izhar, Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth dared to challenge Moses. Korah was a descendant of Kohath and Levi. Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben. These four men were joined by two hundred and fifty Israelite men, well known leaders of the congregation. The assembly chose them. They came together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said: You have gone far enough! Everyone in the whole congregation is holy. Jehovah is among them. Why do you set yourselves above Jehovah's assembly? read more.
When Moses heard this, he bowed with his face touching the ground. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: In the morning Jehovah will show who belongs to him, who is holy. He will have that person come near him. Only the person Jehovah chooses will be allowed to come near him. Korah, you and all your followers must do this tomorrow: Take incense burners, Put burning coals and incense in them in Jehovah's presence. Jehovah will choose the man who is holy. You have gone far enough! Moses also said to Korah: Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel? Jehovah has brought you near to do the work for his tent and stand in front of the community to serve them. He brought you and all the other Levites near. But now you demand to be priests. You and all your followers have joined forces against Jehovah! Who is Aaron that you should complain about him? Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab. But they said: We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey only to kill us in the desert? Do you also have to order us around? You have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us any fields and vineyards to own. Do you think you can still pull the wool over our eyes? We will not come. Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them. Moses said to Korah: Tomorrow you and all your followers must come into Jehovah's presence. Aaron will also be there with you. Each man will take his incense burner and put incense in it. They will offer all two hundred and fifty incense burners to Jehovah. Then you and Aaron offer your incense burners. So each man took his incense burner. He put burning coals and incense in it and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Korah assembled all his followers who opposed Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of Jehovah appeared to the entire group. Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: Move away from these men. I will destroy them instantly. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground and said: O God, you are the God who gives the breath of life to everyone! If one man sins, will you be angry with the entire congregation? Then Jehovah said to Moses: Tell the congregation: 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation: Move away from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you'll be swept away because of all their sins. So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram came out and were standing at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children. Moses said: This is how you will know that Jehovah sent me to do all these things and that it wasn't my idea: If these men die a natural death like all other people Jehovah has not sent me. But if Jehovah does something totally new, if the ground opens up, swallows them and everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive to their graves; then you will know that these men have treated Jehovah with contempt. When he finished speaking, the ground under them split, and the earth opened up to swallow them, their families, the followers of Korah, and all their property. They went down alive to their graves with everything that belonged to them. The ground covered them. They disappeared from the assembly.


Moses became angry and said to Jehovah: Do not accept their offering. I have not taken anything from them, not even a donkey. And I have not mistreated any of them.

The men in charge of the work were very honest. There was no need to require them to account for the funds.

The people answered: You have not cheated us or oppressed us. You have not taken anything from anyone.

The man told Joab: Even if I felt the weight of twenty pounds of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king's son. We heard the order the king gave you, Abishai, and Ittai. Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.

The prophet answered: Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you.

Elisha the prophet answered: By the living God Jehovah whom I serve, I swear that I will not accept a gift. Naaman insisted that he accept it, but he would not.

Since the workmen are honest, do not require them to account for the money you give them.

Earlier rulers who came before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver. Even their servants were lords over the people. But I did not do so, out of reverence for God.

Open your hearts to us. We wronged no person. We wronged and corrupted no one. We took advantage of no person.