Korach

1וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח בֶּן־יִצְהָר בֶּן־קְהָת בֶּן־לֵוִי וְדָתָן וַאֲבִירָם בְּנֵי אֱלִיאָב וְאוֹן בֶּן־פֶּלֶת בְּנֵי רְאוּבֵֽןNow Korah, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben—

2וַיָּקֻמוּ לִפְנֵי מֹשֶׁה וַאֲנָשִׁים מִבְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם נְשִׂיאֵי עֵדָה קְרִאֵי מוֹעֵד אַנְשֵׁי־שֵֽׁםto rise up against Moses, together with certain other Israelites, two hundred and fifty of them: chieftains of the community, chosen in the assembly, men of repute.

3וַיִּֽקָּהֲלוּ עַל־מֹשֶׁה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹן וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֲלֵהֶם רַב־לָכֶם כִּי כׇל־הָֽעֵדָה כֻּלָּם קְדֹשִׁים וּבְתוֹכָם יְהֹוָה וּמַדּוּעַ תִּֽתְנַשְּׂאוּ עַל־קְהַל יְהֹוָֽהThey combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and GOD is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above GOD’s congregation?”

4וַיִּשְׁמַע מֹשֶׁה וַיִּפֹּל עַל־פָּנָֽיוWhen Moses heard this, he fell on his face.

5וַיְדַבֵּר אֶל־קֹרַח וְאֶֽל־כׇּל־עֲדָתוֹ לֵאמֹר בֹּקֶר וְיֹדַע יְהֹוָה אֶת־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ וְאֶת־הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְהִקְרִיב אֵלָיו וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר־בּוֹ יַקְרִיב אֵלָֽיוThen he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Come morning, GOD will make known who is to serve, and who is holy, by granting direct access—whoever is chosen will be granted access.

6זֹאת עֲשׂוּ קְחוּ־לָכֶם מַחְתּוֹת קֹרַח וְכׇל־עֲדָתֽוֹDo this: You, Korah and all your band, take fire pans,

7וּתְנוּ בָהֵן אֵשׁ וְשִׂימוּ עֲלֵיהֶן קְטֹרֶת לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה מָחָר וְהָיָה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַר יְהֹוָה הוּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ רַב־לָכֶם בְּנֵי לֵוִֽיand tomorrow put fire in them and lay incense on them before GOD. Then the man whom GOD chooses, he shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!”

8וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־קֹרַח שִׁמְעוּ־נָא בְּנֵי לֵוִֽיMoses said further to Korah, “Hear me, sons of Levi.

9הַמְעַט מִכֶּם כִּֽי־הִבְדִּיל אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶתְכֶם מֵעֲדַת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהַקְרִיב אֶתְכֶם אֵלָיו לַעֲבֹד אֶת־עֲבֹדַת מִשְׁכַּן יְהֹוָה וְלַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי הָעֵדָה לְשָׁרְתָֽםIs it not enough for you that the God of Israel has set you apart from the community of Israel and given you direct access, to perform the duties of GOD’s Tabernacle and to minister to the community and serve them?

10וַיַּקְרֵב אֹֽתְךָ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אַחֶיךָ בְנֵי־לֵוִי אִתָּךְ וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּם גַּם־כְּהֻנָּֽהNow that [God] has advanced you and all your fellow Levites with you, do you seek the priesthood too?

11לָכֵן אַתָּה וְכׇל־עֲדָתְךָ הַנֹּעָדִים עַל־יְהֹוָה וְאַהֲרֹן מַה־הוּא כִּי (תלונו) [תַלִּינוּ] עָלָֽיוTruly, it is against GOD that you and all your company have banded together. For who is Aaron that you should rail against him?”

12וַיִּשְׁלַח מֹשֶׁה לִקְרֹא לְדָתָן וְלַאֲבִירָם בְּנֵי אֱלִיאָב וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹא נַעֲלֶֽהMoses sent for Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab; but they said, “We will not come!

13הַמְעַט כִּי הֶֽעֱלִיתָנוּ מֵאֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ לַהֲמִיתֵנוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר כִּֽי־תִשְׂתָּרֵר עָלֵינוּ גַּם־הִשְׂתָּרֵֽרIs it not enough that you brought us from a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, that you would also lord it over us?

14אַף לֹא אֶל־אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבַשׁ הֲבִיאֹתָנוּ וַתִּתֶּן־לָנוּ נַחֲלַת שָׂדֶה וָכָרֶם הַעֵינֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים הָהֵם תְּנַקֵּר לֹא נַעֲלֶֽהEven if you had brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, and given us possession of fields and vineyards, should you gouge out the eyes of those involved? We will not come!”

15וַיִּחַר לְמֹשֶׁה מְאֹד וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־יְהֹוָה אַל־תֵּפֶן אֶל־מִנְחָתָם לֹא חֲמוֹר אֶחָד מֵהֶם נָשָׂאתִי וְלֹא הֲרֵעֹתִי אֶת־אַחַד מֵהֶֽםMoses was much aggrieved and he said to GOD, “Pay no regard to their oblation. I have not taken the donkey of any one of them, nor have I wronged any one of them.”

16וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־קֹרַח אַתָּה וְכׇל־עֲדָתְךָ הֱיוּ לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אַתָּה וָהֵם וְאַהֲרֹן מָחָֽרAnd Moses said to Korah, “Tomorrow, you and all your company appear before GOD, you and they and Aaron.

17וּקְחוּ אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ וּנְתַתֶּם עֲלֵיהֶם קְטֹרֶת וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתַיִם מַחְתֹּת וְאַתָּה וְאַהֲרֹן אִישׁ מַחְתָּתֽוֹEach of you take your fire pan and lay incense on it, and each of you bring that fire pan before GOD, two hundred and fifty fire pans; you and Aaron also [bring] your fire pans.”

18וַיִּקְחוּ אִישׁ מַחְתָּתוֹ וַיִּתְּנוּ עֲלֵיהֶם אֵשׁ וַיָּשִׂימוּ עֲלֵיהֶם קְטֹרֶת וַֽיַּעַמְדוּ פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וּמֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹֽןThey each took their fire pan, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and took a place at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, as did Moses and Aaron.

19וַיַּקְהֵל עֲלֵיהֶם קֹרַח אֶת־כׇּל־הָעֵדָה אֶל־פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וַיֵּרָא כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָה אֶל־כׇּל־הָעֵדָֽהKorah gathered the whole community against them at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Then the Presence of GOD appeared to the whole community,

20וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹֽרand GOD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,

21הִבָּדְלוּ מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה הַזֹּאת וַאֲכַלֶּה אֹתָם כְּרָֽגַע“Stand back from this community that I may annihilate them in an instant!”

22וַיִּפְּלוּ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶם וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵל אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכׇל־בָּשָׂר הָאִישׁ אֶחָד יֶחֱטָא וְעַל כׇּל־הָעֵדָה תִּקְצֹֽףBut they fell on their faces and said, “O God, Source of the breath of all flesh! When one member sins, will You be wrathful with the whole community?”

23וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽרGOD spoke to Moses, saying,

24דַּבֵּר אֶל־הָעֵדָה לֵאמֹר הֵֽעָלוּ מִסָּבִיב לְמִשְׁכַּן־קֹרַח דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָֽם“Speak to the community and say: Withdraw from about the abodes of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”

25וַיָּקׇם מֹשֶׁה וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל־דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם וַיֵּלְכוּ אַחֲרָיו זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽלMoses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, the elders of Israel following him.

26וַיְדַבֵּר אֶל־הָעֵדָה לֵאמֹר סוּרוּ נָא מֵעַל אׇהֳלֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים הָֽרְשָׁעִים הָאֵלֶּה וְאַֽל־תִּגְּעוּ בְּכׇל־אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם פֶּן־תִּסָּפוּ בְּכׇל־חַטֹּאתָֽםHe addressed the community, saying, “Move away from the tents of these wicked men and touch nothing that belongs to them, lest you be wiped out for all their sins.”

27וַיֵּעָלוּ מֵעַל מִשְׁכַּן־קֹרַח דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם מִסָּבִיב וְדָתָן וַאֲבִירָם יָצְאוּ נִצָּבִים פֶּתַח אׇֽהֳלֵיהֶם וּנְשֵׁיהֶם וּבְנֵיהֶם וְטַפָּֽםSo they withdrew from about the abodes of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Now Dathan and Abiram had come out and they stood at the entrance of their tents, with their wives, their adult children, and their little ones.

28וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה בְּזֹאת תֵּֽדְעוּן כִּֽי־יְהֹוָה שְׁלָחַנִי לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵת כׇּל־הַֽמַּעֲשִׂים הָאֵלֶּה כִּי־לֹא מִלִּבִּֽיAnd Moses said, “By this you shall know that it was GOD who sent me to do all these things; that they are not of my own devising:

29אִם־כְּמוֹת כׇּל־הָֽאָדָם יְמֻתוּן אֵלֶּה וּפְקֻדַּת כׇּל־הָאָדָם יִפָּקֵד עֲלֵיהֶם לֹא יְהֹוָה שְׁלָחָֽנִיif these people’s death is that of all humankind, if their lot is humankind’s common fate, it was not GOD who sent me.

30וְאִם־בְּרִיאָה יִבְרָא יְהֹוָה וּפָצְתָה הָאֲדָמָה אֶת־פִּיהָ וּבָלְעָה אֹתָם וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם וְיָרְדוּ חַיִּים שְׁאֹלָה וִֽידַעְתֶּם כִּי נִֽאֲצוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה אֶת־יְהֹוָֽהBut if GOD brings about something unheard-of, so that the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, you shall know that those involved have spurned GOD.”

31וַֽיְהִי כְּכַלֹּתוֹ לְדַבֵּר אֵת כׇּל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַתִּבָּקַע הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר תַּחְתֵּיהֶֽםScarcely had he finished speaking all these words when the ground under them burst asunder,

32וַתִּפְתַּח הָאָרֶץ אֶת־פִּיהָ וַתִּבְלַע אֹתָם וְאֶת־בָּתֵּיהֶם וְאֵת כׇּל־הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר לְקֹרַח וְאֵת כׇּל־הָרְכֽוּשׁand the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all Korah’s people and all their possessions.

33וַיֵּרְדוּ הֵם וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם חַיִּים שְׁאֹלָה וַתְּכַס עֲלֵיהֶם הָאָרֶץ וַיֹּאבְדוּ מִתּוֹךְ הַקָּהָֽלThey went down alive into Sheol, with all that belonged to them; the earth closed over them and they vanished from the midst of the congregation.

34וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר סְבִיבֹתֵיהֶם נָסוּ לְקֹלָם כִּי אָֽמְרוּ פֶּן־תִּבְלָעֵנוּ הָאָֽרֶץAll Israel around them fled at their shrieks, for they said, “The earth might swallow us!”

35וְאֵשׁ יָצְאָה מֵאֵת יְהֹוָה וַתֹּאכַל אֵת הַחֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתַיִם אִישׁ מַקְרִיבֵי הַקְּטֹֽרֶתAnd a fire went forth from GOD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men offering the incense.

36וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽרGOD spoke to Moses, saying:

37אֱמֹר אֶל־אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן וְיָרֵם אֶת־הַמַּחְתֹּת מִבֵּין הַשְּׂרֵפָה וְאֶת־הָאֵשׁ זְרֵה־הָלְאָה כִּי קָדֵֽשׁוּOrder Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to remove the fire pans—for they have become sacred—from among the charred remains; and scatter the coals abroad.

38אֵת מַחְתּוֹת הַֽחַטָּאִים הָאֵלֶּה בְּנַפְשֹׁתָם וְעָשׂוּ אֹתָם רִקֻּעֵי פַחִים צִפּוּי לַמִּזְבֵּחַ כִּֽי־הִקְרִיבֻם לִפְנֵֽי־יְהֹוָה וַיִּקְדָּשׁוּ וְיִֽהְיוּ לְאוֹת לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל[Remove] the fire pans of those who have sinned at the cost of their lives, and let them be made into hammered sheets as plating for the altar—for once they have been used for offering to GOD, they have become sacred—and let them serve as a warning to the people of Israel.

39וַיִּקַּח אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן אֵת מַחְתּוֹת הַנְּחֹשֶׁת אֲשֶׁר הִקְרִיבוּ הַשְּׂרֻפִים וַֽיְרַקְּעוּם צִפּוּי לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַEleazar the priest took the copper fire pans that had been used for offering by those who died in the fire; and they were hammered into plating for the altar,

40זִכָּרוֹן לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יִקְרַב אִישׁ זָר אֲשֶׁר לֹא מִזֶּרַע אַהֲרֹן הוּא לְהַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה וְלֹֽא־יִהְיֶה כְקֹרַח וְכַעֲדָתוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהֹוָה בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁה לֽוֹas GOD had ordered him through Moses. It was to be a reminder to the Israelites, so that no outsider—one not of Aaron’s offspring—should presume to offer incense before GOD and suffer the fate of Korah and his band.

41וַיִּלֹּנוּ כׇּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִֽמׇּחֳרָת עַל־מֹשֶׁה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹר אַתֶּם הֲמִתֶּם אֶת־עַם יְהֹוָֽהNext day the whole Israelite community railed against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You two have brought death upon GOD’s people!”

42וַיְהִי בְּהִקָּהֵל הָֽעֵדָה עַל־מֹשֶׁה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹן וַיִּפְנוּ אֶל־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וְהִנֵּה כִסָּהוּ הֶעָנָן וַיֵּרָא כְּבוֹד יְהֹוָֽהBut as the community gathered against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the Tent of Meeting; the cloud had covered it and the Presence of GOD appeared.

43וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן אֶל־פְּנֵי אֹהֶל מוֹעֵֽדWhen Moses and Aaron reached the Tent of Meeting,

44וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽרGOD spoke to Moses, saying,

45הֵרֹמּוּ מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה הַזֹּאת וַאֲכַלֶּה אֹתָם כְּרָגַע וַֽיִּפְּלוּ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶֽם“Remove yourselves from this community, that I may annihilate them in an instant.” They fell on their faces.

46וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן קַח אֶת־הַמַּחְתָּה וְתֶן־עָלֶיהָ אֵשׁ מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְשִׂים קְטֹרֶת וְהוֹלֵךְ מְהֵרָה אֶל־הָעֵדָה וְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיהֶם כִּֽי־יָצָא הַקֶּצֶף מִלִּפְנֵי יְהֹוָה הֵחֵל הַנָּֽגֶףThen Moses said to Aaron, “Take the fire pan, and put on it fire from the altar. Add incense and take it quickly to the community and make expiation for them. For wrath has gone forth from GOD: the plague has begun!”

47וַיִּקַּח אַהֲרֹן כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה וַיָּרׇץ אֶל־תּוֹךְ הַקָּהָל וְהִנֵּה הֵחֵל הַנֶּגֶף בָּעָם וַיִּתֵּן אֶֽת־הַקְּטֹרֶת וַיְכַפֵּר עַל־הָעָֽםAaron took it, as Moses had ordered, and ran to the midst of the congregation, where the plague had begun among the people. He put on the incense and made expiation for the people;

48וַיַּעֲמֹד בֵּֽין־הַמֵּתִים וּבֵין הַֽחַיִּים וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָֽהhe stood between the dead and the living until the plague was checked.

49וַיִּהְיוּ הַמֵּתִים בַּמַּגֵּפָה אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת מִלְּבַד הַמֵּתִים עַל־דְּבַר־קֹֽרַחThose who died of the plague came to fourteen thousand and seven hundred, aside from those who died on account of Korah.

50וַיָּשׇׁב אַהֲרֹן אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֶל־פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וְהַמַּגֵּפָה נֶעֱצָֽרָהAaron then returned to Moses at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, since the plague was checked.

51וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽרGOD spoke to Moses, saying:

52דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְקַח מֵֽאִתָּם מַטֶּה מַטֶּה לְבֵית אָב מֵאֵת כׇּל־נְשִֽׂיאֵהֶם לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מַטּוֹת אִישׁ אֶת־שְׁמוֹ תִּכְתֹּב עַל־מַטֵּֽהוּSpeak to the Israelite people and take from them—from the chieftains of their ancestral houses—one staff for each chieftain of an ancestral house: twelve staffs in all. Inscribe each one’s name on his staff,

53וְאֵת שֵׁם אַהֲרֹן תִּכְתֹּב עַל־מַטֵּה לֵוִי כִּי מַטֶּה אֶחָד לְרֹאשׁ בֵּית אֲבוֹתָֽםthere being one staff for each head of an ancestral house; also inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi.

54וְהִנַּחְתָּם בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לִפְנֵי הָֽעֵדוּת אֲשֶׁר אִוָּעֵד לָכֶם שָֽׁמָּהDeposit them in the Tent of Meeting before the Pact, where I meet with you.

55וְהָיָה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר אֶבְחַר־בּוֹ מַטֵּהוּ יִפְרָח וַהֲשִׁכֹּתִי מֵֽעָלַי אֶת־תְּלֻנּוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֵם מַלִּינִם עֲלֵיכֶֽםThe staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout, and I will rid Myself of the incessant mutterings of the Israelites against you.

56וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּתְּנוּ אֵלָיו כׇּֽל־נְשִׂיאֵיהֶם מַטֶּה לְנָשִׂיא אֶחָד מַטֶּה לְנָשִׂיא אֶחָד לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר מַטּוֹת וּמַטֵּה אַהֲרֹן בְּתוֹךְ מַטּוֹתָֽםMoses spoke thus to the Israelites. Their chieftains gave him a staff for each chieftain of an ancestral house, twelve staffs in all; among these staffs was that of Aaron.

57וַיַּנַּח מֹשֶׁה אֶת־הַמַּטֹּת לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה בְּאֹהֶל הָעֵדֻֽתMoses deposited the staffs before GOD, in the Tent of the Pact.

58וַיְהִי מִֽמׇּחֳרָת וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה אֶל־אֹהֶל הָעֵדוּת וְהִנֵּה פָּרַח מַטֵּֽה־אַהֲרֹן לְבֵית לֵוִי וַיֹּצֵֽא פֶרַח וַיָּצֵֽץ צִיץ וַיִּגְמֹל שְׁקֵדִֽיםThe next day Moses entered the Tent of the Pact, and there the staff of Aaron of the house of Levi had sprouted: it had brought forth sprouts, produced blossoms, and borne almonds.

59וַיֹּצֵא מֹשֶׁה אֶת־כׇּל־הַמַּטֹּת מִלִּפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אֶֽל־כׇּל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּרְאוּ וַיִּקְחוּ אִישׁ מַטֵּֽהוּMoses then brought out all the staffs from before GOD to all the Israelites; each identified and recovered his staff.

60וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה הָשֵׁב אֶת־מַטֵּה אַהֲרֹן לִפְנֵי הָעֵדוּת לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת לְאוֹת לִבְנֵי־מֶרִי וּתְכַל תְּלוּנֹּתָם מֵעָלַי וְלֹא יָמֻֽתוּGOD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back before the Pact, to be kept as a lesson to rebels, so that their mutterings against Me may cease, lest they die.”

61וַיַּעַשׂ מֹשֶׁה כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהֹוָה אֹתוֹ כֵּן עָשָֽׂהThis Moses did; just as GOD had commanded him, so he did.

62וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵאמֹר הֵן גָּוַעְנוּ אָבַדְנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ אָבָֽדְנוּBut the Israelites said to Moses, “Lo, we perish! We are lost, all of us lost!

63כֹּל הַקָּרֵב הַקָּרֵב אֶל־מִשְׁכַּן יְהֹוָה יָמוּת הַאִם תַּמְנוּ לִגְוֺֽעַEveryone who so much as ventures near GOD’s Tabernacle must die. Alas, we are doomed to perish!”

64וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ וּבֵית־אָבִיךָ אִתָּךְ תִּשְׂאוּ אֶת־עֲוֺן הַמִּקְדָּשׁ וְאַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ אִתָּךְ תִּשְׂאוּ אֶת־עֲוֺן כְּהֻנַּתְכֶֽםGOD said to Aaron: You and your sons and the ancestral house under your charge shall bear any guilt connected with the sanctuary; you and your sons alone shall bear any guilt connected with your priesthood.

65וְגַם אֶת־אַחֶיךָ מַטֵּה לֵוִי שֵׁבֶט אָבִיךָ הַקְרֵב אִתָּךְ וְיִלָּווּ עָלֶיךָ וִישָֽׁרְתוּךָ וְאַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ אִתָּךְ לִפְנֵי אֹהֶל הָעֵדֻֽתYou shall also associate with yourself your kinsmen the tribe of Levi, your ancestral tribe, to be attached to you and to minister to you, while you and your sons under your charge are before the Tent of the Pact.

66וְשָֽׁמְרוּ מִֽשְׁמַרְתְּךָ וּמִשְׁמֶרֶת כׇּל־הָאֹהֶל אַךְ אֶל־כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ וְאֶל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ לֹא יִקְרָבוּ וְלֹֽא־יָמֻתוּ גַם־הֵם גַּם־אַתֶּֽםThey shall discharge their duties to you and to the Tent as a whole, but they must not have any contact with the furnishings of the Shrine or with the altar, lest both they and you die.

67וְנִלְווּ עָלֶיךָ וְשָֽׁמְרוּ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לְכֹל עֲבֹדַת הָאֹהֶל וְזָר לֹא־יִקְרַב אֲלֵיכֶֽםThey shall be attached to you and discharge the duties of the Tent of Meeting, all the service of the Tent; but no outsider shall intrude upon you

68וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֵת מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ וְאֵת מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְלֹֽא־יִהְיֶה עוֹד קֶצֶף עַל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽלas you discharge the duties connected with the Shrine and the altar, that wrath may not again strike the Israelites.

69וַאֲנִי הִנֵּה לָקַחְתִּי אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶם הַלְוִיִּם מִתּוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לָכֶם מַתָּנָה נְתֻנִים לַֽיהֹוָה לַעֲבֹד אֶת־עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵֽדI hereby take your fellow Levites from among the Israelites; they are assigned to you in dedication to GOD, to do the work of the Tent of Meeting;

70וְאַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ אִתְּךָ תִּשְׁמְרוּ אֶת־כְּהֻנַּתְכֶם לְכׇל־דְּבַר הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וּלְמִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת וַעֲבַדְתֶּם עֲבֹדַת מַתָּנָה אֶתֵּן אֶת־כְּהֻנַּתְכֶם וְהַזָּר הַקָּרֵב יוּמָֽתwhile you and your sons shall be careful to perform your priestly duties in everything pertaining to the altar and to what is behind the curtain. I make your priesthood a service of dedication; any outsider who encroaches shall be put to death.

71וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן וַאֲנִי הִנֵּה נָתַתִּֽי לְךָ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת תְּרוּמֹתָי לְכׇל־קׇדְשֵׁי בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לְךָ נְתַתִּים לְמׇשְׁחָה וּלְבָנֶיךָ לְחׇק־עוֹלָֽםGOD spoke further to Aaron: I hereby give you charge of My gifts, all the sacred donations of the Israelites; I grant them to you and to your sons as a perquisite, a due for all time.

72זֶֽה־יִהְיֶה לְךָ מִקֹּדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים מִן־הָאֵשׁ כׇּל־קׇרְבָּנָם לְֽכׇל־מִנְחָתָם וּלְכׇל־חַטָּאתָם וּלְכׇל־אֲשָׁמָם אֲשֶׁר יָשִׁיבוּ לִי קֹדֶשׁ קׇֽדָשִׁים לְךָ הוּא וּלְבָנֶֽיךָThis shall be yours from the most holy sacrifices, the offerings by fire: every such offering that they render to Me as most holy sacrifices, namely, every grain offering, purgation offering, and reparation offering of theirs, shall belong to you and your sons.

73בְּקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים תֹּאכְלֶנּוּ כׇּל־זָכָר יֹאכַל אֹתוֹ קֹדֶשׁ יִֽהְיֶה־לָּֽךְYou shall partake of them as most sacred donations: only males may eat them; you shall treat them as consecrated.

74וְזֶה־לְּךָ תְּרוּמַת מַתָּנָם לְכׇל־תְּנוּפֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְךָ נְתַתִּים וּלְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנֹתֶיךָ אִתְּךָ לְחׇק־עוֹלָם כׇּל־טָהוֹר בְּבֵיתְךָ יֹאכַל אֹתֽוֹThis, too, shall be yours: the gift offerings of their contributions, all the elevation offerings of the Israelites, I give to you [and your wives], to your sons, and to the daughters that are with you, as a due for all time; everyone of your household who is pure may eat it.

75כֹּל חֵלֶב יִצְהָר וְכׇל־חֵלֶב תִּירוֹשׁ וְדָגָן רֵאשִׁיתָם אֲשֶׁר־יִתְּנוּ לַֽיהֹוָה לְךָ נְתַתִּֽיםAll the best of the new oil, wine, and grain—the choice parts that they present to GOD—I give to you.

76בִּכּוּרֵי כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר בְּאַרְצָם אֲשֶׁר־יָבִיאוּ לַיהֹוָה לְךָ יִהְיֶה כׇּל־טָהוֹר בְּבֵיתְךָ יֹאכְלֶֽנּוּThe first fruits of everything in their land, that they bring to GOD, shall be yours; everyone of your household who is pure may eat them.

77כׇּל־חֵרֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לְךָ יִהְיֶֽהEverything that has been proscribed in Israel shall be yours.

78כׇּל־פֶּטֶר רֶחֶם לְֽכׇל־בָּשָׂר אֲשֶׁר־יַקְרִיבוּ לַֽיהֹוָה בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה יִֽהְיֶה־לָּךְ אַךְ פָּדֹה תִפְדֶּה אֵת בְּכוֹר הָֽאָדָם וְאֵת בְּכֽוֹר־הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּמֵאָה תִּפְדֶּֽהThe first [male] issue of the womb of every being, human or animal, that is offered to GOD, shall be yours; but you shall have the first-born of human beings redeemed, and you shall also have the firstling of impure animals redeemed.

79וּפְדוּיָו מִבֶּן־חֹדֶשׁ תִּפְדֶּה בְּעֶרְכְּךָ כֶּסֶף חֲמֵשֶׁת שְׁקָלִים בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ עֶשְׂרִים גֵּרָה הֽוּאTake as their redemption price, from the age of one month up, the money equivalent of five shekels by the sanctuary weight, which is twenty gerahs.

80אַךְ בְּֽכוֹר־שׁוֹר אֽוֹ־בְכוֹר כֶּשֶׂב אֽוֹ־בְכוֹר עֵז לֹא תִפְדֶּה קֹדֶשׁ הֵם אֶת־דָּמָם תִּזְרֹק עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְאֶת־חֶלְבָּם תַּקְטִיר אִשֶּׁה לְרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַֽיהֹוָֽהBut the firstlings of cattle, sheep, or goats may not be redeemed; they are consecrated. You shall dash their blood against the altar, and turn their fat into smoke as an offering by fire for a pleasing odor to GOD.

81וּבְשָׂרָם יִהְיֶה־לָּךְ כַּחֲזֵה הַתְּנוּפָה וּכְשׁוֹק הַיָּמִין לְךָ יִהְיֶֽהBut their meat shall be yours: it shall be yours like the breast of elevation offering and like the right thigh.

82כֹּל תְּרוּמֹת הַקֳּדָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר יָרִימוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לַֽיהֹוָה נָתַתִּֽי לְךָ וּלְבָנֶיךָ וְלִבְנֹתֶיךָ אִתְּךָ לְחׇק־עוֹלָם בְּרִית מֶלַח עוֹלָם הִוא לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה לְךָ וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ אִתָּֽךְAll the sacred gifts that the Israelites set aside for GOD I give to you, to your sons, and to the daughters that are with you, as a due for all time. It shall be an everlasting covenant of salt before GOD for you and for your offspring as well.

83וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹן בְּאַרְצָם לֹא תִנְחָל וְחֵלֶק לֹא־יִהְיֶה לְךָ בְּתוֹכָם אֲנִי חֶלְקְךָ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽלAnd GOD said to Aaron: You shall, however, have no territorial share among them or own any portion in their midst; I am your portion and your share among the Israelites.

84וְלִבְנֵי לֵוִי הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי כׇּל־מַֽעֲשֵׂר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לְנַחֲלָה חֵלֶף עֲבֹֽדָתָם אֲשֶׁר־הֵם עֹֽבְדִים אֶת־עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵֽדAnd to the Levites I hereby give all the tithes in Israel as their share in return for the services that they perform, the services of the Tent of Meeting.

85וְלֹא־יִקְרְבוּ עוֹד בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לָשֵׂאת חֵטְא לָמֽוּתHenceforth, Israelites shall not trespass on the Tent of Meeting, and thus incur guilt and die:

86וְעָבַד הַלֵּוִי הוּא אֶת־עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וְהֵם יִשְׂאוּ עֲוֺנָם חֻקַּת עוֹלָם לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם וּבְתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יִנְחֲלוּ נַחֲלָֽהonly Levites shall perform the services of the Tent of Meeting; others would incur guilt. It is the law for all time throughout the ages. But they shall have no territorial share among the Israelites;

87כִּי אֶת־מַעְשַׂר בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר יָרִימוּ לַֽיהֹוָה תְּרוּמָה נָתַתִּי לַלְוִיִּם לְנַחֲלָה עַל־כֵּן אָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יִנְחֲלוּ נַחֲלָֽהfor it is the tithes set aside by the Israelites as a gift to GOD that I give to the Levites as their share. Therefore I have said concerning them: They shall have no territorial share among the Israelites.

88וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽרGOD spoke to Moses, saying:

89וְאֶל־הַלְוִיִּם תְּדַבֵּר וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם כִּֽי־תִקְחוּ מֵאֵת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂר אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָכֶם מֵאִתָּם בְּנַחֲלַתְכֶם וַהֲרֵמֹתֶם מִמֶּנּוּ תְּרוּמַת יְהֹוָה מַעֲשֵׂר מִן־הַֽמַּעֲשֵֽׂרSpeak to the Levites and say to them: When you receive from the Israelites their tithes, which I have assigned to you as your share, you shall set aside from them one-tenth of the tithe as a gift to GOD.

90וְנֶחְשַׁב לָכֶם תְּרוּמַתְכֶם כַּדָּגָן מִן־הַגֹּרֶן וְכַֽמְלֵאָה מִן־הַיָּֽקֶבThis shall be accounted to you as your gift. As with the new grain from the threshing floor or the flow from the vat,

91כֵּן תָּרִימוּ גַם־אַתֶּם תְּרוּמַת יְהֹוָה מִכֹּל מַעְשְׂרֹתֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר תִּקְחוּ מֵאֵת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּנְתַתֶּם מִמֶּנּוּ אֶת־תְּרוּמַת יְהֹוָה לְאַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵֽןso shall you on your part set aside a gift for GOD from all the tithes that you receive from the Israelites; and from them you shall bring the gift for GOD to Aaron the priest.

92מִכֹּל מַתְּנֹתֵיכֶם תָּרִימוּ אֵת כׇּל־תְּרוּמַת יְהֹוָה מִכׇּל־חֶלְבּוֹ אֶֽת־מִקְדְּשׁוֹ מִמֶּֽנּוּYou shall set aside all gifts due to GOD from everything that is donated to you, from each thing its best portion, the part thereof that is to be consecrated.

93וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶם אֶת־חֶלְבּוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ וְנֶחְשַׁב לַלְוִיִּם כִּתְבוּאַת גֹּרֶן וְכִתְבוּאַת יָֽקֶבSay to them further: When you have removed the best part from it, you Levites may consider it the same as the yield of threshing floor or vat.

94וַאֲכַלְתֶּם אֹתוֹ בְּכׇל־מָקוֹם אַתֶּם וּבֵֽיתְכֶם כִּֽי־שָׂכָר הוּא לָכֶם חֵלֶף עֲבֹֽדַתְכֶם בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵֽדYou and your households may eat it anywhere, for it is your recompense for your services in the Tent of Meeting.

95וְלֹֽא־תִשְׂאוּ עָלָיו חֵטְא בַּהֲרִֽימְכֶם אֶת־חֶלְבּוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ וְאֶת־קׇדְשֵׁי בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא תְחַלְּלוּ וְלֹא תָמֽוּתוּYou will incur no guilt through it, once you have removed the best part from it; but you must not profane the sacred donations of the Israelites, lest you die.

1וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־הָעָם לְכוּ וְנֵלְכָה הַגִּלְגָּל וּנְחַדֵּשׁ שָׁם הַמְּלוּכָֽהSamuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there inaugurate the monarchy.”

2וַיֵּלְכוּ כׇל־הָעָם הַגִּלְגָּל וַיַּמְלִכוּ שָׁם אֶת־שָׁאוּל לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה בַּגִּלְגָּל וַיִּזְבְּחוּ־שָׁם זְבָחִים שְׁלָמִים לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה וַיִּשְׂמַח שָׁם שָׁאוּל וְכׇל־אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד־מְאֹֽדSo all the people went to Gilgal, and there at Gilgal they declared Saul king before GOD. They offered sacrifices of well-being there before GOD; and Saul and everyone connected with Israel held a great celebration there.

3וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל הִנֵּה שָׁמַעְתִּי בְקֹֽלְכֶם לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־אֲמַרְתֶּם לִי וָאַמְלִיךְ עֲלֵיכֶם מֶֽלֶךְThen Samuel said to all Israel, “I have yielded to you in all you have asked of me and have set a king over you.

4וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הַמֶּלֶךְ מִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵיכֶם וַֽאֲנִי זָקַנְתִּי וָשַׂבְתִּי וּבָנַי הִנָּם אִתְּכֶם וַֽאֲנִי הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם מִנְּעֻרַי עַד־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּֽהHenceforth the king will be your leader. “As for me, I have grown old and gray—but my sons are still with you—and I have been your leader from my youth to this day.

5הִנְנִי עֲנוּ בִי נֶגֶד יְהֹוָה וְנֶגֶד מְשִׁיחוֹ אֶת־שׁוֹר מִי לָקַחְתִּי וַחֲמוֹר מִי לָקַחְתִּי וְאֶת־מִי עָשַׁקְתִּי אֶת־מִי רַצּוֹתִי וּמִיַּד־מִי לָקַחְתִּי כֹפֶר וְאַעְלִים עֵינַי בּוֹ וְאָשִׁיב לָכֶֽםHere I am! Testify against me, in the presence of GOD and in the presence of this anointed one: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or whom have I robbed? From whom have I taken a bribe to look the other way? I will return it to you.”

6וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹא עֲשַׁקְתָּנוּ וְלֹא רַצּוֹתָנוּ וְלֹא־לָקַחְתָּ מִיַּד־אִישׁ מְאֽוּמָהThey responded, “You have not defrauded us, and you have not robbed us, and you have taken nothing from anyone.”

7וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם עֵד יְהֹוָה בָּכֶם וְעֵד מְשִׁיחוֹ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כִּי לֹא מְצָאתֶם בְּיָדִי מְאוּמָה וַיֹּאמֶר עֵֽדHe said to them, “GOD then is witness, and this anointed one is witness, to your admission this day that you have found nothing in my possession.” They responded, “[God is] witness indeed!”

8וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־הָעָם יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן וַאֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָה אֶת־אֲבֹתֵיכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִםSamuel said to the people, “GOD [is witness]—who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt.

9וְעַתָּה הִֽתְיַצְּבוּ וְאִשָּׁפְטָה אִתְּכֶם לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אֵת כׇּל־צִדְקוֹת יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה אִתְּכֶם וְאֶת־אֲבוֹתֵיכֶֽםCome, stand before GOD while I cite against you all the kindnesses that GOD has done to you and your ancestors.

10כַּאֲשֶׁר־בָּא יַעֲקֹב מִצְרָיִם וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶם אֶל־יְהֹוָה וַיִּשְׁלַח יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן וַיּוֹצִיאוּ אֶת־אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם מִמִּצְרַיִם וַיֹּשִׁבוּם בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּֽה“When Jacob came to Egypt, … your ancestors cried out to GOD, and GOD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

11וַֽיִּשְׁכְּחוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וַיִּמְכֹּר אֹתָם בְּיַד סִֽיסְרָא שַׂר־צְבָא חָצוֹר וּבְיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּבְיַד מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וַיִּֽלָּחֲמוּ בָּֽםBut they forgot the ETERNAL their God; so they were delivered into the hands of Sisera the military commander of Hazor, into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the king of Moab; and these made war upon them.

12וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אֶל־יְהֹוָה (ויאמר) [וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ] חָטָאנוּ כִּי עָזַבְנוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה וַנַּעֲבֹד אֶת־הַבְּעָלִים וְאֶת־הָעַשְׁתָּרוֹת וְעַתָּה הַצִּילֵנוּ מִיַּד אֹיְבֵינוּ וְנַעַבְדֶֽךָּThey cried to GOD, ‘We are guilty, for we have forsaken GOD and worshiped the Baalim and Ashtaroth. Oh, deliver us from our enemies and we will serve You.’

13וַיִּשְׁלַח יְהֹוָה אֶת־יְרֻבַּעַל וְאֶת־בְּדָן וְאֶת־יִפְתָּח וְאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵל וַיַּצֵּל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד אֹֽיְבֵיכֶם מִסָּבִיב וַתֵּשְׁבוּ בֶּֽטַחAnd GOD sent Jerubbaal and Bedan and Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you from the enemies around you; and you dwelt in security.

14וַתִּרְאוּ כִּֽי־נָחָשׁ מֶלֶךְ בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹן בָּא עֲלֵיכֶם וַתֹּאמְרוּ לִי לֹא כִּי־מֶלֶךְ יִמְלֹךְ עָלֵינוּ וַיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם מַלְכְּכֶֽםBut when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was advancing against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king reigning over us’—though the ETERNAL your God is your King.

15וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר בְּחַרְתֶּם אֲשֶׁר שְׁאֶלְתֶּם וְהִנֵּה נָתַן יְהֹוָה עֲלֵיכֶם מֶֽלֶךְ“Well, GOD has set a king over you! Here is the king that you have chosen, that you have asked for.

16אִם־תִּֽירְאוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֹתוֹ וּשְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹלוֹ וְלֹא תַמְרוּ אֶת־פִּי יְהֹוָה וִהְיִתֶם גַּם־אַתֶּם וְגַם־הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ עֲלֵיכֶם אַחַר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם“If you will revere, worship, and obey GOD—and not flout GOD’s command—if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the ETERNAL your God, [well and good].

17וְאִם־לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ בְּקוֹל יְהֹוָה וּמְרִיתֶם אֶת־פִּי יְהֹוָה וְהָיְתָה יַד־יְהֹוָה בָּכֶם וּבַאֲבֹתֵיכֶֽםBut if you do not obey GOD—and you flout GOD’s command—GOD’s hand will strike you as it did your ancestors.

18גַּם־עַתָּה הִתְיַצְּבוּ וּרְאוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה עֹשֶׂה לְעֵינֵיכֶֽם“Now stand by and see the marvelous thing that GOD will do before your eyes.

19הֲלוֹא קְצִיר־חִטִּים הַיּוֹם אֶקְרָא אֶל־יְהֹוָה וְיִתֵּן קֹלוֹת וּמָטָר וּדְעוּ וּרְאוּ כִּֽי־רָעַתְכֶם רַבָּה אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם בְּעֵינֵי יְהֹוָה לִשְׁאוֹל לָכֶם מֶֽלֶךְIt is the season of the wheat harvest. I will pray to GOD—who will send thunder and rain; then you will take thought and realize what a wicked thing you did in GOD’s sight when you asked for a king.”

20וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־יְהֹוָה וַיִּתֵּן יְהֹוָה קֹלֹת וּמָטָר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וַיִּירָא כׇל־הָעָם מְאֹד אֶת־יְהֹוָה וְאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵֽלSamuel prayed to GOD, and GOD sent thunder and rain that day, and the people stood in awe of GOD and of Samuel.

21וַיֹּאמְרוּ כׇל־הָעָם אֶל־שְׁמוּאֵל הִתְפַּלֵּל בְּעַד־עֲבָדֶיךָ אֶל־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְאַל־נָמוּת כִּֽי־יָסַפְנוּ עַל־כׇּל־חַטֹּאתֵינוּ רָעָה לִשְׁאֹל לָנוּ מֶֽלֶךְThe people all said to Samuel, “Intercede for your servants with the ETERNAL your God that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins the wickedness of asking for a king.”

22וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־הָעָם אַל־תִּירָאוּ אַתֶּם עֲשִׂיתֶם אֵת כׇּל־הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת אַךְ אַל־תָּסוּרוּ מֵאַחֲרֵי יְהֹוָה וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֶת־יְהֹוָה בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶֽםBut Samuel said to the people, “Have no fear. You have, indeed, done all those wicked things. Do not, however, turn away from GOD, but serve GOD with all your heart.

23וְלֹא תָּסוּרוּ כִּי אַחֲרֵי הַתֹּהוּ אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יוֹעִילוּ וְלֹא יַצִּילוּ כִּי־תֹהוּ הֵֽמָּהDo not turn away to follow worthless things, which can neither profit nor save but are worthless.

24כִּי לֹֽא־יִטֹּשׁ יְהֹוָה אֶת־עַמּוֹ בַּעֲבוּר שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל כִּי הוֹאִיל יְהֹוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶתְכֶם לוֹ לְעָֽםFor the sake of God’s great name, GOD will never abandon this people, seeing that GOD undertook to make you a covenanted people.