 1 The Lord spoke to Moses saying, 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and take a rod from each of them for a father's house, of all their rulers, for their fathers' house, twelve rods. Write every man's name upon his rod. 3 You shall write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi. One rod for the head of the house of their fathers. 4 Lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony where I will meet with you. 5 The rod of the man whom I choose will blossom. I will make the grumblings+ of the children of Israel cease from me by which they grumble+ against you. 6 Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and all their rulers gave to him a rod, for each ruler, one rod for each ruler, for their father's house, twelve rods. And the rod of Aaron was among their rods. 7 Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness. 8 On the next day Moses went into the tabernacle of witness. And behold. The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded and had brought forth buds, and had bloomed blossoms, and had yielded almonds. 9 Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord to all the children of Israel. They looked and each one took his rod. 10 The Lord said to Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept as a token against the rebels. And you shall completely take away their grumblings+ from me so that they do not die. 11 Moses did as the Lord commanded him, so he did. 12 The children of Israel spoke to Moses saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. 13 Whoever comes near the tabernacle of the Lord shall die. Shall we be consumed to die?
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