Números 16
Riveduta 1927
1Or Kore, figliuolo di Itshar, figliuolo di Kehath, figliuolo di Levi, insieme con Dathan e Abiram figliuoli di Eliab, e On, figliuolo di Peleth, tutti e tre figliuoli di Ruben,
2presero altra gente e si levaron su in presenza di Mosè, con duecentocinquanta uomini dei figliuoli d’Israele, principi della raunanza, membri dei consiglio, uomini di grido;
3e, radunatisi contro Mosè e contro Aaronne, dissero loro: “Basta! tutta la raunanza, tutti fino ad uno son santi, e l’Eterno è in mezzo a loro; perché dunque v’innalzate voi sopra la raunanza dell’Eterno?”
4Quando Mosè ebbe udito questo, si prostrò colla faccia a terra;
5poi parlò a Kore e a tutta la gente ch’era con lui, dicendo: “Domattina l’Eterno farà conoscere chi è suo e chi è santo, e se lo farà avvicinare: farà avvicinare a se colui ch’egli avrà scelto.
6Fate questo: prendete de’ turiboli, tu, Kore, e tutta la gente che è con te;
7e domani mettetevi del fuoco, e ponetevi su del profumo dinanzi all’Eterno; e colui che l’Eterno avrà scelto sarà santo. Basta, figliuoli di Levi!”
8Mosè disse inoltre a Kore: “Ora ascoltate, o figliuoli di Levi!
9E’ egli poco per voi che l’Iddio d’Israele v’abbia appartati dalla raunanza d’Israele e v’abbia fatto accostare a sé per fare il servizio del tabernacolo dell’Eterno e per tenervi davanti alla raunanza affin d’esercitare a pro suo il vostro ministerio?
10Egli vi fa accostare a sé, te e tutti i tuoi fratelli figliuoli di Levi con te, e cercate anche il sacerdozio?
11E per questo tu e tutta la gente che è teco vi siete radunati contro l’Eterno! poiché chi è Aaronne che vi mettiate a mormorare contro di lui?”
12E Mosè mandò a chiamare Dathan e Abiram, figliuoli di Eliab; ma essi dissero: “Noi non saliremo.
13E’ egli poco per te l’averci tratti fuori da un paese ove scorre il latte e il miele, per farci morire nel deserto, che tu voglia anche farla da principe, si, da principe su noi?
14E poi, non ci hai davvero condotti in un paese dove scorra il latte e il miele, e non ci hai dato possessi di campi e di vigne! Credi tu di potere render cieca questa gente? Noi non saliremo”.
15Allora Mosè si adirò forte e disse all’Eterno: “Non gradire la loro oblazione; io non ho preso da costoro neppure un asino, e non ho fatto torto ad alcuno di loro”.
16Poi Mosè disse a Kore: “Tu e tutta la tua gente trovatevi domani davanti all’Eterno: tu e loro, con Aaronne;
17e ciascun di voi prenda il suo turibolo, vi metta del profumo, e porti ciascuno il suo turibolo davanti all’Eterno: saranno duecentocinquanta turiboli. Anche tu ed Aaronne prenderete ciascuno il vostro turibolo”.
18Essi dunque presero ciascuno il suo turibolo, vi misero del fuoco, vi posero su del profumo, e si fermarono all’ingresso della tenda di convegno; lo stesso fecero Mosè ed Aaronne.
19E Kore convocò tutta la raunanza contro Mosè ed Aaronne all’ingresso della tenda di convegno; e la gloria dell’Eterno apparve a tutta la raunanza.
20E l’Eterno parlò a Mosè e ad Aaronne, dicendo:
21“Separatevi da questa raunanza, e io li consumerò in un attimo”.
22Ma essi, prostratisi con la faccia a terra, dissero: “O Dio, Dio degli spiriti d’ogni carne! Un uomo solo ha peccato, e ti adireresti tu contro tutta la raunanza?”
23E l’Eterno parlò a Mosè, dicendo:
24“Parla alla raunanza e dille: Ritiratevi d’intorno alla dimora di Kore, di Dathan e di Abiram”.
25Mosè si levò e andò da Dathan e da Abiram; e gli anziani d’Israele lo seguirono.
26Ed egli parlò alla raunanza, dicendo: “Allontanatevi dalle tende di questi uomini malvagi, e non toccate nulla di ciò ch’è loro, affinché non abbiate a perire a cagione di tutti i loro peccati”.
27Così quelli si ritirarono d’intorno alla dimora di Kore, di Dathan e di Abiram. Dathan ed Abiram uscirono, e si fermarono all’ingresso delle loro tende con le loro mogli, i loro figliuoli e i loro piccini. E Mosè disse:
28“Da questo conoscerete che l’Eterno mi ha mandato per fare tutte queste cose, e che io non le ho fatte di mia testa.
29Se questa gente muore come muoion tutti gli uomini, se la loro sorte è la sorte comune a tutti gli uomini, l’Eterno non mi ha mandato;
30ma se l’Eterno fa una cosa nuova, se la terra apre la sua bocca e li ingoia con tutto quello che appartiene loro e s’essi scendono vivi nel soggiorno de’ morti, allora riconoscerete che questi uomini hanno disprezzato l’Eterno”.
31E avvenne, com’egli ebbe finito di proferire tutte queste parole, che il suolo si spaccò sotto i piedi di coloro,
32la terra spalancò la sua bocca e li ingoiò: essi e le loro famiglie, con tutta la gente che apparteneva a Kore, e tutta la loro roba.
33E scesero vivi nel soggiorno de’ morti; la terra si richiuse su loro, ed essi scomparvero di mezzo all’assemblea.
34Tutto Israele ch’era attorno ad essi fuggì alle loro grida; perché dicevano: “Che la terra non inghiottisca noi pure!”
35E un fuoco uscì dalla presenza dell’Eterno e divorò i duecentocinquanta uomini che offrivano il profumo.
36Poi l’Eterno parlò a Mosè, dicendo:
37“Di’ a Eleazar, figliuolo del sacerdote Aaronne, di trarre i turiboli di mezzo all’incendio e di disperdere qua e là il fuoco, perché quelli son sacri;
38e dei turiboli di quegli uomini che hanno peccato al prezzo della loro vita si facciano tante lamine battute per rivestirne l’altare, poiché sono stati presentati davanti all’Eterno e quindi son sacri; e serviranno di segno ai figliuoli d’Israele”.
39E il sacerdote Eleazar prese i turiboli di rame presentati dagli uomini ch’erano stati arsi; e furon tirati in lamine per rivestirne l’altare,
40affinché servissero di ricordanza ai figliuoli d’Israele, e niun estraneo che non sia della progenie d’Aaronne s’accosti ad arder profumo davanti all’Eterno ed abbia la sorte di Kore e di quelli ch’eran con lui. Eleazar fece come l’Eterno gli avea detto per mezzo di Mosè.
41Il giorno seguente, tutta la raunanza de’ figliuoli d’Israele mormorò contro Mosè ed Aaronne dicendo: “Voi avete fatto morire il popolo dell’Eterno”.
42E avvenne che, come la raunanza si faceva numerosa contro Mosè e contro Aaronne, i figliuoli d’Israele si volsero verso la tenda di convegno; ed ecco che la nuvola la ricoprì, e apparve la gloria dell’Eterno.
43Mosè ed Aaronne vennero davanti alla tenda di convegno.
44E l’Eterno parlò a Mosè, dicendo:
45“Toglietevi di mezzo a questa raunanza, e io li consumerò in un attimo”. Ed essi si prostrarono con la faccia a terra.
46E Mosè disse ad Aaronne: “Prendi il turibolo, mettivi del fuoco di sull’altare, ponvi su del profumo, e portalo presto in mezzo alla raunanza e fa’ l’espiazione per essi; poiché l’ira dell’Eterno è scoppiata, la piaga è già cominciata”.
47E Aaronne prese il turibolo, come Mosè avea detto; corse in mezzo all’assemblea, ed ecco che la piaga era già cominciata fra il popolo; mise il profumo nel turibolo e fece l’espiazione per il popolo.
48E si fermò tra i morti e i vivi, e la piaga fu arrestata.
49Or quelli che morirono di quella piaga furono quattordicimila settecento, oltre quelli che morirono per il fatto di Kore.
50Aaronne tornò a Mosè all’ingresso della tenda di convegno e la piaga fu arrestata.
Reina-Valera 1909
1Y CORÉ, hijo de Ishar, hijo de Coath, hijo de Leví; y Dathán y Abiram, hijos de Eliab; y Hon, hijo de Peleth, de los hijos de Rubén, tomaron gente,
2Y levantáronse contra Moisés con doscientos y cincuenta varones de los hijos de Israel, príncipes de la congregación, de los del consejo, varones de nombre;
3Y se juntaron contra Moisés y Aarón, y les dijeron: Básteos, porque toda la congregación, todos ellos son santos, y en medio de ellos está Jehová: ¿por qué, pues, os levantáis vosotros sobre la congregación de Jehová?
4Y como lo oyó Moisés, echóse sobre su rostro;
5Y habló á Coré y á todo su séquito, diciendo: Mañana mostrará Jehová quién es suyo, y al santo harálo llegar á sí; y al que él escogiere, él lo allegará á sí.
6Haced esto: tomaos incensarios, Coré y todo su séquito:
7Y poned fuego en ellos, y poned en ellos sahumerio delante de Jehová mañana; y será que el varón á quien Jehová escogiere, aquél será el santo: básteos esto, hijos de Leví.
8Dijo más Moisés á Coré: Oid ahora, hijos de Leví:
9¿Os es poco que el Dios de Israel os haya apartado de la congregación de Israel, haciéndoos allegar á sí para que ministraseis en el servicio del tabernáculo de Jehová, y estuvieseis delante de la congregación para ministrarles?
10¿Y que te hizo acercar á ti, y á todos tus hermanos los hijos de Leví contigo; para que procuréis también el sacerdocio?
11Por tanto, tú y todo tu séquito sois los que os juntáis contra Jehová: pues Aarón, ¿qué es para que contra él murmuréis?
12Y envió Moisés á llamar á Dathán y Abiram, hijos de Eliab; mas ellos respondieron: No iremos allá:
13¿Es poco que nos hayas hecho venir de una tierra que destila leche y miel, para hacernos morir en el desierto, sino que también te enseñorees de nosotros imperiosamente?
14Ni tampoco nos has metido tú en tierra que fluya leche y miel, ni nos has dado heredades de tierras y viñas: ¿has de arrancar los ojos de estos hombres? No subiremos.
15Entonces Moisés se enojó en gran manera, y dijo á Jehová: No mires á su presente: ni aun un asno he tomado de ellos, ni á ninguno de ellos he hecho mal.
16Después dijo Moisés á Coré: Tú y todo tu séquito, poneos mañana delante de Jehová; tú, y ellos, y Aarón:
17Y tomad cada uno su incensario, y poned sahumerio en ellos, y allegad delante de Jehová cada uno su incensario: doscientos y cincuenta incensarios: tú también, y Aarón, cada uno con su incensario.
18Y tomaron cada uno su incensario, y pusieron en ellos fuego, y echaron en ellos sahumerio, y pusiéronse á la puerta del tabernáculo del testimonio con Moisés y Aarón.
19Ya Coré había hecho juntar contra ellos toda la congregación á la puerta del tabernáculo del testimonio: entonces la gloria de Jehová apareció á toda la congregación.
20Y Jehová habló á Moisés y á Aarón, diciendo:
21Apartaos de entre esta congregación, y consumirlos he en un momento.
22Y ellos se echaron sobre sus rostros, y dijeron: Dios, Dios de los espíritus de toda carne, ¿no es un hombre el que pecó? ¿y airarte has tú contra toda la congregación?
23Entonces Jehová habló á Moisés, diciendo:
24Habla á la congregación, diciendo: Apartaos de en derredor de la tienda de Coré, Dathán, y Abiram.
25Y Moisés se levantó, y fué á Dathán y á Abiram; y los ancianos de Israel fueron en pos de él.
26Y él habló á la congregación, diciendo: Apartaos ahora de las tiendas de estos impíos hombres, y no toquéis ninguna cosa suya, por que no perezcáis en todos sus pecados.
27Y apartáronse de las tiendas de Coré, de Dathán, y de Abiram en derredor: y Dathán y Abiram salieron y pusiéronse á las puertas de sus tiendas, con sus mujeres, y sus hijos, y sus chiquitos.
28Y dijo Moisés: En esto conoceréis que Jehová me ha enviado para que hiciese todas estas cosas; que no de mi corazón las hice.
29Si como mueren todos los hombres murieren éstos, ó si fueren ellos visitados á la manera de todos los hombres, Jehová no me envió.
30Mas si Jehová hiciere una nueva cosa, y la tierra abriere su boca, y los tragare con todas sus cosas, y descendieren vivos al abismo, entonces conoceréis que estos hombres irritaron á Jehová.
31Y aconteció, que en acabando él de hablar todas estas palabras, rompióse la tierra que estaba debajo de ellos:
32Y abrió la tierra su boca, y tragólos á ellos, y á sus casas, y á todos los hombres de Coré, y á toda su hacienda.
33Y ellos, con todo lo que tenían, descendieron vivos al abismo, y cubriólos la tierra, y perecieron de en medio de la congregación.
34Y todo Israel, los que estaban en derredor de ellos, huyeron al grito de ellos; porque decían: No nos trague también la tierra.
35Y salió fuego de Jehová, y consumió los doscientos y cincuenta hombres que ofrecían el sahumerio.
36Entonces Jehová habló á Moisés, diciendo:
37Di á Eleazar, hijo de Aarón sacerdote, que tome los incensarios de en medio del incendio, y derrame más allá el fuego; porque son santificados:
38Los incensarios de estos pecadores contra sus almas: y harán de ellos planchas extendidas para cubrir el altar: por cuanto ofrecieron con ellos delante de Jehová, son santificados; y serán por señal á los hijos de Israel.
39Y el sacerdote Eleazar tomó los incensarios de metal con que los quemados habían ofrecido; y extendiéronlos para cubrir el altar,
40En recuerdo á los hijos de Israel que ningún extraño que no sea de la simiente de Aarón, llegue á ofrecer sahumerio delante de Jehová, porque no sea como Coré, y como su séquito; según se lo dijo Jehová por mano de Moisés.
41El día siguiente toda la congregación de los hijos de Israel murmuró contra Moisés y Aarón, diciendo: Vosotros habéis muerto al pueblo de Jehová.
42Y aconteció que, como se juntó la congregación contra Moisés y Aarón, miraron hacia el tabernáculo del testimonio, y he aquí la nube lo había cubierto, y apareció la gloria de Jehová.
43Y vinieron Moisés y Aarón delante del tabernáculo del testimonio.
44Y Jehová habló á Moisés, diciendo:
45Apartaos de en medio de esta congregación, y consumirélos en un momento. Y ellos se echaron sobre sus rostros.
46Y dijo Moisés á Aarón: Toma el incensario, y pon en él fuego del altar, y sobre él pon perfume, y ve presto á la congregación, y haz expiación por ellos; porque el furor ha salido de delante de la faz de Jehová: la mortandad ha comenzado.
47Entonces tomó Aarón el incensario, como Moisés dijo, y corrió en medio de la congregación: y he aquí que la mortandad había comenzado en el pueblo: y él puso perfume, é hizo expiación por el pueblo.
48Y púsose entre los muertos y los vivos; y cesó la mortandad.
49Y los que murieron en aquella mortandad fueron catorce mil y setecientos, sin los muertos por el negocio de Coré.
50Después se volvió Aarón á Moisés á la puerta del tabernáculo del testimonio, cuando la mortandad había cesado.
King James Version
1Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
2And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
4And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
5And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
6This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
7And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
8And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
9Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
10And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
11For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
12And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
13Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
14Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
15And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
16And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
17And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.
18And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
19And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
20And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
21Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
23And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
24Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
25And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
26And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
27So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
28And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
29If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
30But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
31And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
32And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
33They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
34And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
36And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
37Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
38The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
39And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
40To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
41But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
42And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
43And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
44And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
45Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
46And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
47And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
48And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
49Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
50And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
World English Bible
1Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took some men.
2They rose up before Moses, with some of the children of Israel, two hundred fifty princes of the congregation, called to the assembly, men of renown.
3They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much on yourself, since all the congregation are holy, everyone of them, and the LORD is among them! Why do you lift yourselves up above the LORD’s assembly?”
4When Moses heard it, he fell on his face.
5He said to Korah and to all his company, “In the morning, the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to him. Even him whom he shall choose, he will cause to come near to him.
6Do this: have Korah and all his company take censers,
7put fire in them, and put incense on them before the LORD tomorrow. It shall be that the man whom the LORD chooses, he shall be holy. You have gone too far, you sons of Levi!”
8Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi!
9Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;
10and that he has brought you near, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? Do you seek the priesthood also?
11Therefore you and all your company have gathered together against the LORD! What is Aaron that you complain against him?”
12Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said, “We won’t come up!
13Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, but you must also make yourself a prince over us?
14Moreover you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We won’t come up.”
15Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.”
16Moses said to Korah, “You and all your company go before the LORD, you, and they, and Aaron, tomorrow.
17Each man take his censer and put incense on it, and each man bring before the LORD his censer, two hundred fifty censers; you also, and Aaron, each with his censer.”
18They each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the Tent of Meeting with Moses and Aaron.
19Korah assembled all the congregation opposite them to the door of the Tent of Meeting. The LORD’s glory appeared to all the congregation.
20The LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
21“Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment!”
22They fell on their faces, and said, “God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?”
23The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
24“Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from around the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram!’”
25Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
26He spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins!”
27So they went away from the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side. Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.
28Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works; for they are not from my own mind.
29If these men die the common death of all men, or if they experience what all men experience, then the LORD hasn’t sent me.
30But if the LORD makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall understand that these men have despised the LORD.”
31As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split apart.
32The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all of Korah’s men, and all their goods.
33So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly.
34All Israel that were around them fled at their cry; for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!”
35Fire came out from the LORD, and devoured the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense.
36The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
37“Speak to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter the fire away from the camp; for they are holy,
38even the censers of those who sinned against their own lives. Let them be beaten into plates for a covering of the altar, for they offered them before the LORD. Therefore they are holy. They shall be a sign to the children of Israel.”
39Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which those who were burned had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar,
40to be a memorial to the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger who isn’t of the offspring of Aaron, would come near to burn incense before the LORD, that he not be as Korah and as his company; as the LORD spoke to him by Moses.
41But on the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!”
42When the congregation was assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they looked toward the Tent of Meeting. Behold, the cloud covered it, and the LORD’s glory appeared.
43Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tent of Meeting.
44The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
45“Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment!” They fell on their faces.
46Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, put fire from the altar in it, lay incense on it, carry it quickly to the congregation, and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD! The plague has begun.”
47Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the middle of the assembly. The plague had already begun among the people. He put on the incense, and made atonement for the people.
48He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
49Now those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, in addition to those who died about the matter of Korah.
50Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and the plague was stopped.