16 "These are the ones who are called to be leaders of their father's tribes. They are the heads of the divisions of Israel."

17 So Moses and Aaron took these men who had been designated by name, 18 and assembled all the congregation on the first day of the second month and registered the men who were twenty years and older in each tribe, 19 just as the LORD had commanded Moses. So he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

20 Now the sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, who were twenty years and older and able to go to war, 21 numbered 46,500.

22 The sons of Simeon who were twenty years and older and able to go to war, 23 numbered 59,300.

24 The sons of Gad who were twenty years and older and able to go to war, 25 numbered 45,650.

26 The sons of Judah who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 27 numbered 74,600.

28 The sons of Issachar who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 29 numbered 54,400.

30 The sons of Zebulun who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 31 numbered 57,400.

32 Of the sons of Joseph, that is, the sons of Ephraim, who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 33 numbered 40,500. 34 And of the sons of Manasseh, Joseph's other son, who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 35 numbered 32,200.

36 Of the sons of Benjamin who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 37 numbered 35,400.

38 Of the sons of Dan who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 39 numbered 62,700.

40 Of the sons of Asher who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 41 numbered 41,500.

42 Of the sons of Naphtali who were twenty years or older and able to go to war, 43 numbered 53,400.

44 These are the ones numbered by Moses and Aaron with the twelve leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. 45 So all those numbered from all the tribes of Israel, twenty years and older and able to go to war, 46 came to 603,550 men.

47 However, the Levites were not numbered among those who could go to war. 48 For the LORD had told Moses, 49 "the tribe of Levi shall not be numbered in the census." 50 "But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony and its furnishings. They are to take care of it and to camp around it." 51 "When the tabernacle is to be moved to a new location, the Levites shall take it down. And when it is to be set up again, they shall do this. Any one from another tribe who comes near shall be put to death." 52 "And each man of the children of Israel shall live with his own tribe." 53 "But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle and be in charge of it."

54 And the children of Israel did all of this according to what the LORD had commanded Moses.

Numbers 2 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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Where Each Tribe Is to Camp Around the Tabernacle
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 "The children of Israel shall each live by his tribe's standard at some distance from the tabernacle of the congregation."

3 "The tribe of Judah shall camp on the east side. Nahshon the son of Amminadab is the leader of their army." 4 "The men in his army number 74,600." 5 "The tribe of Issachar shall camp next to him. Nethaneel the son of Zuar is the leader of their army." 6 "The men in his army number 54,400." 7 "The tribe of Zebulun is next. Eliab the son of Helon is their leader." 8 "The men in his army number 57,400." 9 "All the men in the army of Judah were 186,400. They shall set out first."

10 "The tribe of Reuben shall be on the south side. Elizur the son of Shedeur shall lead them." 11 "The men in his army number 46,500." 12 "The tribe of Simeon shall be next to him. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai lead them." 13 "The men in his army number 59,300." 14 "The tribe of Gad is next led by Eliasaph the son of Deuel." 15 "The men in his army number 45,650." 16 "The total number of men in the camp of Reuben is 151,450 and they shall be the second to set out."

17 "Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set out with the camp of the Levites just as it is in the middle of all the camps."

18 "On the west side shall be the camp of Ephraim and their leader shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud." 19 "The men in his army number 40,500." 20 "Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh lead by Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur." 21 "The men in his army number 32,200." 22 "The tribe of Benjamin is next, led by Abidan the son of Gideoni." 23 "The men in his army number 35,400." 24 "The total number of men of the camp of Ephraim shall be 108,100. They shall set out in third place.

" 25 "The tribe of Dan shall be on the north side. Their leader shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai." 26 "The men in his army number 62,700." 27 "Asher shall camp next to him. Their leader is Pagiel the son of Ochran." 28 "The men in his army number 41,500." 29 "Then comes Naphtali. Their leader is Ahira the son of Enan." 30 "The men in his army number 53,400." 31 "The number of men in the camp of Dan is 157,600. They shall bring up the rear with their standards."

32 "The total number of men in the army of the children of Israel is 603,550." 33 "The Levites are not numbered among the children of Israel, just as the LORD had commanded Moses." 34 "Thus the children of Israel did everything according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. Each camped by his standard and when they set out, each family traveled according to his father's household."

Numbers 3 - RWB Paraphrase (51 V)
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The Work Assigned to the Sons of Levi
1 Here is the record of the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 The sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 3 These were anointed to serve as priests. 4 But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD because they offered strange fire before Him in the wilderness of Sinai. They had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during Aaron's lifetime.

5 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6 "Bring the tribe of Levi together before Aaron that they may learn how they shall serve him." 7 "Their duties shall be their service for him and for the congregation concerning the tabernacle of the congregation." 8 "They are to care for the furnishings of the tabernacle." 9 "All the Levites are called out of the children of Israel to serve Aaron and his sons." 10 "Aaron and his sons have been called to the priesthood. Any layman who comes near shall be put to death."

11 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 "Behold, originally I called the firstborn as priests to their families. Now I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel to replace the duties of the firstborn. The Levites shall belong to Me." 13 "All the firstborn were Mine when I struck down the firstborn in the land of Egypt. I sanctified to Myself the firstborn of man and beast saying that they are Mine."

14 Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 "Number the children of the house of Levi. Count every male a month and older." 16 So Moses numbered them just as the LORD had commanded him. 17 These are the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. 18 Gershon's sons: Libni and Shimei. 19 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 20 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. This is a listing of the families of the Levites.

21 Of Gershon came the families of the Libnites and the Shimeites. They were the Gershonites. 22 Counting every male of a month and older they numbered 7,500. 23 The families of the Gershonites camped west of the tabernacle, 24 and their leader was Eliasaph the son of Lael.

25 The duties of the Gershonities had to do with the tabernacle and the tent, its covering and the screen for the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation, 26 as well as the hangings of the court, the screen of the doorway to the court.

27 Of Kohath came the families of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, the Uzzielites and the Kohathites. 28 The number of every male a month and older was 8,600. These performed the duties of the sanctuary. 29 The sons of Kohath camped to the south of the tabernacle, 30 and their leader was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31 Their duties involved the ark, the table and the lampstand, the alters, all the utensils for the ministry in the sanctuary, the hangings, and all the service concerning them. 32 Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest, was the chief of the leaders of Levi and had oversight of all the duties performed in the sanctuary.

33 Of Merari was the families of the Mahlites and the Mushites. 34 All the males a month and older numbered 6,200. 35 Their leader was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They camped to the north of the tabernacle. 36 Their appointed duties involved the boards and bars of the tabernacle, its pillars and sockets, and all the vessels used in the services. 37 They took care of the pillars around the court and the sockets and their pegs and cords. 38 They camped to the east of the tabernacle. Moses and Aaron camped with them and performed the duties of the sanctuary. Anyone not belonging there would be put to death if they came near the sanctuary.

39 All the Levites a month or older, that Moses and Aaron counted according to the command of the LORD, numbered 22,000.

40 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Number every firstborn male of the children of Israel that is a month or older. Make a list of their names." 41 "You shall take the Levites for Me, I am the LORD. They shall take the place of the firstborn among the children of Israel. And the cattle of the Levites shall take the place of the firstborn of the cattle of the children of Israel." 42 So Moses numbered all the firstborn among the children of Israel as the LORD had commanded, 43 counting the males a month or older, the number came to 22,273. 44 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 "Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle. The Levites shall be Mine, I am the LORD," 46 "for the ransom of the two hundred and seventy three of the firstborn of the children of Israel are more than the Levites," 47 "and you shall take five sanctuary shekels per person. A sanctuary shekel is twenty gerahs." 48 "Give the money as a ransom to Aaron and his sons." 49 So Moses took the ransom money from those ransomed by the Levites, 50 from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the equivalent of 1,365 sanctuary shekels. 51 Then Moses gave the ransom money to Aaron and his sons, as the LORD had commanded.

Numbers 4 - RWB Paraphrase (49 V)
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Work Assigned to the Priests by Families
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 "Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi. Count them by families in their father's households." 3 "Count those from thirty to fifty years of age. These are to enter into the service in the tabernacle of the congregation." 4 "They will work with the most holy things." 5 "When the camp is to move forward, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil that is a screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it." 6 "Then they shall lay a covering of badger skins over it and a blue cloth. Finally they are to place the staves in the rings at its sides."

7 "Over the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth. They shall place the dishes, spoons, bowls and their covers on the covered table and the continual bread shall also be on it." 8 "They shall spread over the table a cloth of scarlet material. They shall then cover it with badger skins and insert its poles."

9 "Next they shall place a blue cloth over the candlestick, over each of its lamps, its tongs and snuffers, and all the oil vessels used to replenish it." 10 "They shall place it and all of its utensils in a covering of badger skins and place it on its carrying bars."

11 "Over the golden altar of incense they shall spread a covering of blue cloth and then badger skins. Finally, they shall insert its poles." 12 "They shall place all the utensils used in the sanctuary in a blue cloth and cover them with badger skins and place them on their carrying bars."

13 "Then they shall take away the ashes from the altar of burnt offering and spread a purple cloth over the altar." 14 "They shall also place all of its firepans, shovels and basins on it and spread a cover of badger skins over it. Then they shall place its poles in the rings at its sides."

15 "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering all the holy objects and furnishings of the sanctuary, and the camp is ready to set out, the sons of Kohath shall come and carry the articles of the sanctuary. No one else is to touch them lest they die."

16 "Eleazar the son of Aaron is responsible for the oil for the candlestick and the fragrant incense, the continual grain offering and the anointing oil. He is responsible for the oversight of the sanctuary and everything in it."

17 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 18 "Do not let the families of the Kohathites be cut off from among the Levites." 19 "Aaron and his sons are to assign each of them his work and what they are to carry," 20 "but they must not go in to see the holy objects even for a moment, or they will die."

21 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 22 "Take a census of the sons of Gershon according to their father's households." 23 "Count those from thirty to fifty years of age." 24 "Their service shall be:" 25 "to carry the curtains of the tabernacle of the congregation, and its covering of badger skins," 26 "and the hangings of the court and the door of the gate by the altar of burnt offering, the cords, and all the instruments for its service." 27 "All the service done by the Gershonites, their loads and all their work shall be assigned by Aaron and his sons." 28 "It shall be Ithamar's responsibility to direct them in all their duties."

29 "As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by families." 30 "Those from thirty to fifty years of age shall do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation." 31 "They shall carry the boards, bars, pillars and sockets of the tabernacle," 32 "and the pillars around the court, and their sockets, pegs and cords. You shall assign each man the items he is to carry." 33 "Aaron's son Ithamar is to direct them in their service in the tabernacle of the congregation."

34 So Moses and the leaders of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites according to their families, 35 those from thirty to fifty years old who were to work in the tabernacle of the congregation. 36 There were 2,750 men. 37 These were the men from the Kohathites who served in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron numbered just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

38 The number of the sons of Gershon, 39 ranging in age from thirty to fifty years old for the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, 40 numbered 2,630 men. 41 These men of the sons of Gershon, who served in the tabernacle of the congregation, were numbered by Moses and Aaron just as the LORD had commanded. 42 The number of the men of the sons of Merari, 43 ranging in age from thirty to fifty years of age, who served in the tabernacle of the congregation, 44 numbered 3,200. 45 They were numbered because the LORD commanded it through Moses.

46 All the men numbered from among the Levites, according to their families and their father's households, 47 ranging in age from thirty to fifty years of age, who could do the work of carrying the tabernacle of the congregation, 48 numbered 8,580 men. 49 The LORD had commanded Moses to number them and assign each one what he was to carry.

Numbers 5 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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The Camp Shall Be Clean Before the Lord
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Command the children of Israel to send every leper out of camp. Also send out anyone with a discharge or anyone unclean because of having touched a dead person." 3 "This holds true for both male and female. They shall not defile the camp by dwelling in it, for I am in their midst." 4 The children of Israel did as they were instructed of the LORD through Moses.

5 Then the LORD said to Moses, 6 "explain to the children of Israel that when a man or woman commits any sin of unfaithfulness to the LORD," 7 "he shall confess his sins and make restitution in full for the wrong he has done, and he shall add one-fifth when righting the wrong done to someone." 8 "If the one wronged is not alive and has no relative to make restitution to, then it must go to the LORD for the priest. Add to this the ram of atonement by which atonement is made for him."

9 "And every contribution of any holy thing shall be brought to the priest and it shall become his." 10 "So every man's holy gifts shall become the priest's."

11 Then the LORD said to Moses, 12 "explain to the children of Israel that if a man's wife is unfaithful to him," 13 "and another man had intercourse with her but it is hidden from her husband for there was no witness and she has not been caught in the act," 14 "if the husband is suspicious and becomes jealous of his wife, whether or not she has defiled herself," 15 "the man shall bring his wife to the priest with an offering for her, one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal without oil or frankincense on it. It is a grain offering of jealousy, a reminder of iniquity." 16 "The priest shall bring her near and have her husband stand before the LORD," 17 "and the priest shall place some holy water in an earthenware vessel. He shall take dust from the floor of the tabernacle and put it in the water." 18 "The priest shall have the woman stand before the LORD with her hair falling loose. He shall place the grain offering of jealousy in her hands while he holds the water of bitterness that brings a curse." 19 "The priest shall place her under oath and say to her, 'If no man has lain with you and you have not gone astray from being under the authority of your husband, this water of bitterness will not bring a curse to you.'" 20 "If, however, you have gone astray from his authority and have defiled yourself with a man other than your husband by having intercourse with him, you will be cursed." 21 "Then the priest shall have the woman swear with the oath of the curse, and he shall say to the her, 'The LORD make you a curse and an oath among your people by making your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell.'" 22 "And this water that brings a curse shall go into your stomach and cause this to happen. And the woman shall say, 'Amen. Amen.'" 23 "The priest shall write these curses on a scroll and then wash them off into the water of bitterness." 24 "Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse." 25 "The priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman's hand wave it before the LORD before taking it to the altar." 26 "He shall take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial to be offered up in smoke on the altar. Then the woman is to drink the water." 27 "When she has drunk the water, if she has defiled herself by being unfaithful to her husband, the water will cause bitterness and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away, and she shall be a curse among her people." 28 "But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she shall be free to conceive children."

29 "This is the law of jealousy for when a husband thinks his wife has gone astray from his authority and defiled herself," 30 "and being jealous of his wife, he shall make her stand before the LORD and the priest shall apply this law to her." 31 "This allows the man to be free of guilt and for the woman to bear her guilt."

Numbers 6 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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The Law of the Nazarite
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the children of Israel and tell them that when a man or a woman makes a vow to separate themselves as a Nazarite unto the LORD," 3 "he shall abstain from wine or strong drink. Neither shall he drink vinegar, grape juice, or eat fresh or dried grapes." 4 "All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is made from the grape, its seeds, or even its skins." 5 "All the days of his vow of separation he shall not cut the hair on his head. He shall let it grow long." 6 "All the days of his separation he shall not go near a dead person." 7 "He shall not make himself unclean even for the sake of his father or mother, or any other family member." 8 "All the days of his vow of separation he is holy to the LORD." 9 "But should someone suddenly die right next to him, he must shave his head after seven days when he has become clean." 10 "Then on the eighth day he shall bring two turtle doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." 11 "The priest shall offer one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, and make atonement because of his sin of being near a dead person. On that same day he shall consecrate his head," 12 "and rededicate the days of his Nazarite vow. He shall bring a year old male lamb for a guilt offering. The days already served shall not count because his separation was defiled."

13 "Now this is the law of the Nazarite: when the days of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought to the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation," 14 "and present it to the LORD: a one year old male lamb without defect as a burnt offering, a one year old ewe lamb without defect for a sin offering, a ram without defect for a peace offering," 15 "a basket of unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their grain offering and drink offering." 16 "Then the priest shall present them before the LORD and offer the sin offering and burnt offering." 17 "He shall also offer the ram for a peace offering to the LORD, along with the basket of unleavened cakes. The priest shall offer its grain offering and drink offering." 18 "The Nazarite shall then shave his dedicated head of hair at the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation and the hair shall be placed in the fire under the peace offerings." 19 "The priest shall take the ram's shoulder when it has been boiled, and one unleavened cake from the basket and one unleavened wafer. He shall place them in the hands of the Nazarite after he has shaved his dedicated hair." 20 "Then the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. It is holy for the priest, together with the breast offered by waving and the thigh that was presented. After this the Nazarite may drink wine." 21 "This is the law of the Nazarite who vows his offering to the LORD, in addition to whatever he can afford."

22 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons. Tell them what to say when they are blessing Israel:" 24 "the LORD bless you and keep you." 25 "The LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you." 26 "The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace." 27 "So they shall invoke My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."

Numbers 7 - RWB Paraphrase (89 V)
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The Leaders of Twelve Tribes of Israel Bring Offerings
1 Now on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and sanctified it, as well as all its instruments, the altar and its vessels, and he consecrated them. 2 Then the leaders of Israel made an offering. 3 They brought their offerings on six covered carts pulled by twelve oxen. There were two leaders by each of the carts as they presented their offerings before the tabernacle.

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, 5 "accept these things from them that they may be used in the tabernacle of the congregation. Give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service." 6 So Moses gave the carts and the oxen to the Levites. 7 He gave two carts with their four oxen to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. 8 He gave four carts and eight oxen to the sons of Merari according to their service under the direction if Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9 But he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because their service involved the carrying of the holy objects on their shoulders.

10 The leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed. 11 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Let one leader present his offering each day for the dedication of the altar."

12 "Now the one who presented his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah." 13 "His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels. Both bowls were filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering." 14 He also gave a gold pan weighing ten shekels that was filled with incense. 15 He then gave one bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering, 16 and one male goat for a sin offering. 17 For the sacrifice of peace offerings he gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs, each a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar gave his offering. 19 He presented one silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels. These were their weight according to the sanctuary shekel. Both dishes were filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 20 He also gave one gold pan weighing ten shekels that was full of incense, 21 one bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering, 22 one male goat for a sin offering, 23 and for a peace offering two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering made by Nethanel the son of Zuar.

24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the sons of Zebulun made his offering. 25 He gave one silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels and a silver dish weighing seventy shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 26 He also gave a gold pan weighing ten shekels that was full of incense, 27 a young bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb, for a burnt offering, 28 one male goat for a sin offering, 29 and for peace offerings two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day it was Elizur the son of Shedeur, leader of the sons of Reuben. 31 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 32 Also one gold pan weighing ten shekels, full of incense, 33 and one bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb, for a burnt offering, 34 and a male goat for a sin offering. 35 For the peace offerings he gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day it was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the sons of Simeon. 37 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 38 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 39 one bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb, for a burnt offering, 40 and one male goat for a sin offering. 41 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

42 On the sixth day it was Eliasaph the son of Deuel, the leader of the sons of Gad. 43 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 44 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 45 one bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb, for a burnt offering, 46 and a male goat for a sin offering. 47 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day it was Elishama the son of Ammihud, the leader of the sons of Ephraim. 49 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 50 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 51 one bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb for a burnt offering, 52 and one male goat for a sin offering. 53 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day it was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, the leader of the sons of Manasseh. 55 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 56 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 57 one bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb for a burnt offering, 58 and one male goat for a sin offering. 59 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day it was Abidan the son of Gideoni, the leader of the sons of Benjamin. 61 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 62 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 63 one bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb for a burnt offering, 64 and one male goat for a sin offering. 65 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day it was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the sons of Dan. 67 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 68 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 69 one bull, one ram, and a one year old male lamb for a burnt offering, 70 and one male goat for a sin offering. 71 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

72 On the eleventh day it was Pagiel the son of Ochran, the leader of the sons of Asher. 73 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 74 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 75 one bull, one ram, a one year old male lamb, for a burnt offering, 76 and one male goat for a sin offering. 77 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.

78 On the twelfth day it was Ahira the son of Enan, the leader of the sons of Naphtali. 79 His offering was a silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels, and a silver bowl weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. Both were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. 80 Also a gold pan weighing ten shekels full of incense, 81 one bull, one ram and a one year old male lamb, for a burnt offering, 82 and one male goat for a sin offering. 83 And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

84 This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, twelve gold spoons. 85 Each silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels and each bowl seventy. All the silver of the utensils was two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 86 The twelve gold pans full of incense each weighed ten shekels by the sanctuary shekel. All the gold pans together weighed 120 shekels. 87 All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bulls, twelve rams, twelve male lambs a year old with their grain offering, and twelve male goats for a sin offering. 88 In all there were twenty four bulls, sixty rams, sixty goats and sixty male lambs a year old. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed.

89 Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with God, he heard the voice of One speaking from the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony between the two Cherubim. And so He spoke to Moses.

Numbers 8 - RWB Paraphrase (26 V)
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Instruction Concerning the Tabernacle
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to Aaron saying to him, 'When you light the seven lamps they shall give light around the candlestick.'" 3 Aaron did as the LORD had commanded through Moses. 4 The candlestick was made of hammered gold from its base to its flowered top. It was made according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

The Levites Are Set Aside to Serve in the Tabernacle
5 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6 "Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them." 7 "Here is what you shall do. Sprinkle purifying water on them. Have them shave their entire bodies, wash their clothes and make themselves clean." 8 "Then have them take a bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil. A second bull is to be used for a sin offering." 9 "And so you shall present the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation. You shall also gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel." 10 "Bring the Levites before the LORD, and have the children of Israel lay their hands on them." 11 "Aaron shall then present the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the children of Israel that they may perform the service of the LORD." 12 "Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls and offer one of them for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the LORD to make atonement for them." 13 "Have the Levites stand before Aaron and his sons and present them as a wave offering to the LORD." 14 "In this way the Levites shall be separate from among the children of Israel. They shall be Mine." 15 "After that the Levites may serve in the tabernacle of the congregation. But first you shall cleanse them and present them as a wave offering." 16 "They belong entirely to Me from among all Israel. I have taken them in place of the firstborn of the children of Israel." 17 "For every firstborn is still mine. I sanctified them for Myself on the day that I struck down the firstborn in the land of Egypt." 18 "But now I have taken the Levites in place of the firstborn from among the children of Israel." 19 "And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons. They are to perform the services of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation to make atonement for the children of Israel. No harm will come to them when they come near the sanctuary."

20 Thus Moses and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 21 The Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD and made atonement for them. 22 After that the Levites went into the tabernacle to perform their service before Aaron and his sons, just as the LORD had commanded.

23 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24 "From among the Levites, those twenty five years and older, shall enter the tabernacle of the congregation to perform its service." 25 "But when they are fifty years old they shall retire from this service." 26 "They may, however, occasionally assist their brothers in the tabernacle of the congregation when necessary. This is the work assigned to the Levites."

Numbers 9 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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Instruction Concerning Passover
1 And the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the second year and the first month after coming out of Egypt, saying, 2 "Let the children of Israel observe the Passover at it appointed time." 3 "On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall observe it remembering all its statutes and ordinances." 4 Moses then told the children of Israel to observe the Passover. 5 So they observed it on the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight in the wilderness of Sinai, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

6 But there were some men who were unclean because of a dead person, so they could not observe Passover on that day. They came to Moses and Aaron, 7 and said to them, "Though we are unclean because of the dead person, why are we restrained from presenting an offering of the LORD at this appointed time among the children of Israel?" 8 Moses said, "Wait until I have put this to the LORD to see what He will say about you." 9 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Tell the children of Israel that if any of them becomes unclean because of a dead person, or is on a far journey, he may however observe the Passover of the LORD." 11 "They shall wait until the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight. Then they shall observe it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs." 12 "They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it. They are to follow all the statutes of the Passover." 13 "But the one who is clean and not on a journey and yet fails to observe the Passover, shall be cut off from his people and bear his sin." 14 "If an alien sojourns among you and observes the Passover to the LORD, he shall observe the ordinances the same as the native of the land."

15 On the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud stood above it. And when evening had come it became a pillar of fire. 16 The cloud was always over the tent: a cloud by day and fire by night. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted up from the tent, the children of Israel would set out to follow it. In the place where it settled, that was where they would set up camp. 18 The children of Israel journeyed at the LORD's command, and at His command they pitched their tents. As long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they rested in their tents. 19 When the cloud stayed many days above the tabernacle the children of Israel did not move camp. 20 They would remain where they were until the LORD commanded otherwise. Then they would set out once more. 21 At whatever time of day the cloud lifted, that was the time they would set out. 22 Whether the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for two days, a month or a year, the children of Israel remained camped until it lifted up from the tabernacle of the congregation. 23 At the command of the LORD they camped and at His command they set out. They did as the LORD commanded through Moses.

Numbers 10 - RWB Paraphrase (36 V)
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The Blowing of Trumpets communication and Direction
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "make two trumpets of silver. They shall be made from a single piece. You will use them to call the assembly and for signaling the camps to set out." 3 "When both trumpets are blown, the entire assembly shall gather to you at the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation." 4 "But when only one is blown, just the leaders of the divisions shall assemble themselves to you." 5 "When you blow a signal for the camps to move out, the camps pitched on the east shall set out first." 6 "When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps pitched on the south shall set out."

7 "When convening the assembly you shall sound the trumpet without sounding an alarm." 8 "The priestly sons of Aaron shall blow the trumpets. This is the way it is to be done throughout your generations." 9 "When you go to war in your land against your adversaries who have attacked you, you shall sound the alarm and be remembered by the LORD Who will save you from your enemies."

10 "On the days of your appointed feasts you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder that I am the LORD your God."

11 In the second month of the second year, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted up from over the tabernacle of the congregation, 12 and the children of Israel set out on their journey from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled in the wilderness of Paran. 13 So they had moved out for the first time according to the commandment of the LORD by Moses.

14 The standard of the camp of Judah went out led by Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

15 The tribe of Issachar was led by Nethanel the son of Zuar.

16 The tribe of Zebulun was led by Eliab the son of Helon.

17 Then the tabernacle was taken down and carried by the sons of Gershon and Merari, and they set out.

18 Next came the camp of Reuben led by Elizur the son of Shedeur.

19 Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai led the camp of Simeon.

20 Eliasaph the son of Deuel led the camp of Dan.

21 Then the Kohathites set out carrying the holy objects. The tabernacle would be set up for them when they arrived at the next stop.

22 Next came the camp of Ephraim led by Elishama the son of Ammihud.

23 Then came Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur leading the camp of Manasseh.

24 Abidan the son of Gideoni led the camp of Benjamin.

25 The camp of Dan formed the rear guard and was led by Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

26 Pagiel the son of Ochran followed leading the sons of Asher.

27 Finally Ahira the son of Enan led the tribe of Naphtali.

28 This was the order in which the children of Israel set out with their armies when they moved camp.

29 Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, the father-in-law of Moses, "We are setting out to the place to which the LORD has promised to give us. Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things concerning Israel." 30 But he answered him, saying, "I prefer to stay with my relatives." 31 Then Moses said, "Please do not leave us for you know the best places to camp in the wilderness. You can be our eyes." 32 "And if you come with us we will share whatever good the LORD does for us."

33 So they set out three days journey from the mount of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD in front of them. 34 The cloud of the LORD was over them by day as they traveled. 35 Then it came to pass that Moses said, "Rise up, O LORD! And let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee from before You." 36 When the cloud of the LORD came to rest he said, "Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel."

Numbers 11 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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The People Complain and the Lord Gives Them Meat
1 The people began complaining and the LORD became angry when He heard it. His fire consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people then cried out to Moses and he prayed to the LORD. Then the fire died out. 3 The name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.

4 The mixed multitude among them lusted for flesh food. 5 They remembered the fish they ate for free in Egypt, and the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 They complained that their appetite was gone when all they had was this manna.

7 Manna was like coriander seed, reddish brown in color. 8 The people gathered it and ground it between two millstones. They could also beat it in a mortar. Sometimes they would boil it and make cakes which tasted like they had been baked with oil. 9 When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna fell with it.

10 Moses heard the people weeping in the doorways of their tents. The LORD's anger was kindled and Moses was also displeased. 11 So he asked the LORD, "Why have You been so hard on Your servant? Haven't I found favor in Your sight? Why do You lay the burden of this people on me?" 12 "Did I bring this people into existence? Am I to carry them in my bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, all the way to the land You swore to their fathers?" 13 "Where can I get meat to give all these people? They are weeping before me, saying, 'Give us meat to eat.'" 14 "These people are too large a burden for me to carry all by myself." 15 "So if this is how You are dealing with me, and I have found favor in your sight, please slay me right now so that I do not have to look at my own wretchedness."

16 The LORD then said to Moses, "Gather seventy men of the elders of Israel, and bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand with you." 17 "Then I will come down and speak with you and place the Spirit Who is upon you on them as well. And they shall bear the burden of the people with you so that you will not bear it all alone." 18 "Say to the people, sanctify yourselves for tomorrow you shall eat meat. The LORD has heard your weeping for meat, because you thought that you were better off in Egypt." 19 "You shall eat meat, but not for just one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor twenty days," 20 "but for a whole month until it comes out of your nostrils and is loathsome to you. This will happen to you because you have rejected the LORD and wished you were back in Egypt."

21 Moses said to the LORD, "There are six hundred thousand men, and yet You say you will give them meat for a whole month." 22 "If flocks and herds were slaughtered would this be possible? Even if all the fish of the sea were gathered, would that be enough?" 23 The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD's power limited? Now you will see whether or not My word will come true."

24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. He gathered seventy elders and stationed them around the tabernacle. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. And the Spirit that was upon Moses He also placed on the seventy elders. When the Spirit had rested on them they prophesied. However, this was the only occasion when this happened. 26 Two of the elders had remained in the camp and had not come to the tabernacle. They were Eldad and Medad. And the Spirit rested on them as well, for they were among those chosen as elders. And they prophesied in the camp. 27 Young man ran and told Moses that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp. 28 Then Joshua the son of Nun, who attended Moses, said, "Moses, my lord, restrain them." 29 But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that He would place His Spirit upon every one of them!" 30 Then Moses and the elders returned to the camp.

31 Now the LORD caused a wind to blow. It brought quail to the camp from the sea. They piled up about two cubits deep all around the camp. 32 The people spent all day, all night and all the next day gathering quail. The least gathered by anyone was ten homers. 33 While they were eating the meat the LORD's anger was kindled against the people and He struck them with a severe plague. 34 So the name of that place was called Kibroth-Hattaavah, because the people buried those who had been greedy.

35 From Kibroth-Hattaavah the people set out for Hazeroth and remained there.

Numbers 12 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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Miriam and Aaron Speak Against Moses
1 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke up against Moses, because of his Cushite wife. 2 They said, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn't He spoken through us as well?" And the LORD heard their words. 3 Now Moses was more humble than any man on earth.

4 Suddenly the LORD called Moses, Aaron and Miriam to the tabernacle of the congregation. So the three of them went. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam forward. 6 He said to them, "Hear now My words. If there is a prophet among you, I will make Myself known to him in a vision or a dream." 7 "But it not so with My servant Moses. He is the most faithful in all My household." 8 "With him I speak openly mouth to mouth. I do not use dark hard to understand sayings, but I speak plainly with him. Why then were you not afraid to speak against him?" 9 So the LORD's anger burned against them and He departed. 10 And when the cloud had gone up from the tent, Aaron turned toward Miriam and saw that she had become leprous, as white as snow. 11 Then Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, I beg you, do not hold this sin against us. We acted foolishly." 12 "Please, do not let her be as one who is dead, whose flesh is half eaten by leprosy."

13 And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, "O God, heal her, I pray!" 14 But the LORD said to Moses, "If her father were to spit on her would she not bear the shame for seven days? Let her be shut outside of camp for seven days. After that she may be received into camp again." 15 So Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days, and the people did not move until Miriam had been received back into the camp.

16 After that the people moved out from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.

Numbers 13 - RWB Paraphrase (33 V)
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Moses Sends Men to Spy Out the Land of Canaan
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the children of Israel. You shall send one man who is a leader from each of the tribes of Israel." 3 So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran as the LORD had commanded. All of them were leaders in Israel. 4 Their names were:
Shammua the son of Zaccur from the tribe of Reuben,
5 Shaphat the son of Hori from the tribe of Simeon,
6 Caleb the son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah,
7 Igal the son of Joseph from the tribe of Issachar,
8 Hoshea the son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim, (this was Joshua)
9 Palti the son of Raphu from the tribe of Benjamin,
10 Gaddiel the son of Sodi from the tribe of Zebulun,
11 Gaddi the son of Susi from the tribe of Joseph,
12 Ammiel the son of Gemalli from the tribe of Dan,
13 Sethur the son of Michael from the tribe of Asher,
14 Nahbi the son of Vophsi from the tribe of Naphtali,
15 And Geuel the son of Machi from the tribe of Gad.

16 These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. But Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.

17 When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, "Go up into the Negev and the hill country beyond." 18 He said, "See what the land is like and whether the people are strong or weak, few or many." 19 "Determine if the land is good or bad. What are the cities like? Are they walled or do the people live in tents?" 20 "Is the land productive? Are there trees? Try to bring back some of the fruit," for it was the time of the first ripe grapes.

21 So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, at Hamath. 22 When they had passed through the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, descendants of Anak lived. Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. 23 In the valley of Eshcol they cut a single cluster of grapes that they carried on a pole between two men. They also collected some pomegranates and figs. 24 In later times that place was known by the name of Eshcol because of the grapes the spies brought back from it. 25 After forty days they returned from searching out the land. 26 Coming to Moses, Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran, they told of what they had seen, and showed them the fruit they had brought back. 27 They said, "We went into the land where you sent us. And it certainly does flow with milk and honey. And you see the fruit we brought back." 28 "But the fact is, the people of the land are strong and the cities are large and fortified, and we saw the descendants of Anak." 29 "Amelek is living in the Negev and the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country. And the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan." 30 Then Caleb quieted the people standing before Moses, and said, "We must go up and take possession of the land, for we shall surely overcome it." 31 But the other men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against this people for they are too strong for us." 32 So most of them brought an evil report to the children of Israel, saying, "The inhabitants of the land are of great size and are too strong for us to overcome." 33 "We saw the giants, the sons of Anak. Compared to them we were like grasshoppers."

Numbers 14 - RWB Paraphrase (45 V)
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The People Are Discouraged by the Report
1 The entire congregation began to weep. They cried all that night. 2 All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying to them, "It would have been better for us to have died in Egypt! Even dying in the wilderness would have been better." 3 "Why is the LORD bringing us into this land just to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will become plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" 4 So they decided to appoint a leader to take them back to Egypt.

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the children of Israel. 6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, two of the spies, tore their clothes. 7 They spoke to the congregation, saying, "The land we saw was exceedingly good." 8 "If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land to give it to us. This is a land flowing with milk and honey." 9 "Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not fear the people of the land. They will be our prey. Their protection has been removed, for the LORD is with us."

10 The entire congregation decided to stone Moses and Aaron. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting and all Israel saw it. 11 The LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people provoke Me by not believing Me, even though they have seen all the signs which I performed among them?" 12 "I will smite them with pestilence and disinherit them. Then I will make a greater nation from you." 13 But Moses replied to the LORD, "If You destroy them, the Egyptians will hear of it." 14 "They know of how You have been in the midst of this people, leading them out of Egypt and going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night." 15 "If You slay them the nations who have heard of Your fame will say," 16 "'The LORD was not able to bring them into the land He promised to them. He has slain them in the wilderness.'" 17 "I pray now that You will display Your power, just as You have declared." 18 "The LORD who is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression. By no means do You clear the guilty, but visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations." 19 "I pray that You will pardon the iniquity of this people according to Your great loving kindness, just as You have been forgiving them since You brought them up out of Egypt."

20 So the LORD said, "At your request I have pardoned them." 21 "But as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD." 22 "Surely all the men have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet they have tested Me these ten times by not listening to My voice," 23 "so they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers. They have spurned Me and shall not enter into it." 24 "However, My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me fully. Therefore, I will bring him into the land, and he and his descendants shall possess it." 25 "Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys, turn tomorrow and set out for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea."

26 The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, saying, 27 "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation which murmur and complain against Me?" 28 "Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'Just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I shall do to you.'" 29 "Your corpses will fall in the wilderness, every one of you who grumbled against Me who is twenty years and older." 30 "You will not come into the land where I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun." 31 "Your children whom you said would become prey, I will bring into that land which you have rejected." 32 "But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness." 33 "Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness. They will suffer for your unfaithfulness until you die in this wilderness." 34 "You shall bear your guilt for forty years, a year for every day you spied out the land, and you will know why I am not keeping My promise to you." 35 "I, the LORD, have spoken. Surely I will do all this to the evil congregation gathered against Me in this wilderness. Here you shall die."

36 The men whom Moses had sent to spy out the land who had brought back a bad report to the congregation, 37 died from a plague before the LORD. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh did not die though they had been among those who went up to spy out the land.

39 When Moses had repeated to the people all the words the LORD had spoken, they mourned greatly. 40 In the morning they got up early and went up to the edge of the hill country, saying, "Here we are. We have sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised." 41 But Moses said to them, "Why are you sinning against the commandment of the LORD? You will not succeed." 42 "Do not go lest you be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not going with you." 43 "You will fall by the sword before the Amalekites and the Canaanites, because you are not following the LORD's command. Therefore, He will not be with you." 44 But they went up anyway. Neither the ark of the covenant nor Moses left the camp.

45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in the hill country came down and struck them, beating them back as far as Hormah.

Numbers 15 - RWB Paraphrase (41 V)
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The Lord's Direction Concerning Offerings
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "speak to the children of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land I am giving you,'" 3 "And you make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or a freewill offering, or at the time of an appointed feast, for a soothing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or the flock," 4 "the one who presents his offering shall also present to the LORD a grain offering of one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a fourth of a hin of oil," 5 "and you shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one-fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice for each lamb." 6 "For a ram you shall prepare a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one third of a hin of oil." 7 "For the drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hin of wine as a soothing aroma to the LORD." 8 "When you prepare a bullock as a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a special vow, or as a peace offering to the LORD," 9 "you shall offer with it a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil." 10 "And you shall offer as a drink offering one-half a hin of wine as an offering by fire and a soothing aroma to the LORD." 11 "This is how it shall be done for each ox, ram, male lamb or goat." 12 "According to the number that you prepare, so you shall prepare for each one." 13 "All Israelites shall do this when making an offering by fire as a soothing aroma to the LORD." 14 "If an alien sojourns with you he also may do this." 15 "There shall be one statute for everyone in the assembly, including the alien." 16 "There is one law and one ordinance for you and the alien who sojourns with you."

17 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 18 "Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land where I am bringing you,'" 19 "It shall be that when you eat of the produce of the land, you shall lift up an offering to the LORD." 20 "Of the first of your dough you shall make a cake as an offering from your threshing floor." 21 "You are to do this throughout your generations." 22 "If you fail to observe this commandment which the LORD has spoken through Moses," 23 "or when this generation, or any following generation, fails in any other command of the LORD given through Moses," 24 "even when it is unintentionally forgotten by the congregation, then the congregation shall offer a bullock as a burnt offering, to be a soothing aroma to the LORD. With this offering give a grain offering and its drink offering as described in the ordinance, and one male goat for a sin offering." 25 "Then the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel and they will be forgiven. For they sinned in error and have made an offering by fire to the LORD and are forgiven." 26 "So they will all be forgiven, even the alien who lives among them."

27 "And if one person sins unintentionally, he shall offer a one year old female goat as a sin offering." 28 "The priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the one who sins unintentionally, that he may be forgiven." 29 "You shall have one law for anyone who sins unintentionally, for both the one born of the children of Israel and the alien who lives among them."

30 "But the one who blasphemes in defiance, whether Israelite or alien, shall be cut off from among his people," 31 "because he has despised the LORD and broken His commandment. He shall be cut off from among his people and his iniquity will be upon him."

A Man Who Gathered Sticks on the Sabbath Was Stoned
32 Now it happened that while the children of Israel were in the wilderness they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 They brought him to Moses and Aaron before the entire congregation. 34 They placed him under guard until it should be determined what should be done to him. 35 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "The man must be put to death. The congregation shall stone him outside the camp." 36 So all the congregation brought him out of the camp and stoned him to death, just as the LORD had commanded.

37 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 38 "Speak to the children of Israel and ask them to place a blue tassel on each corner of their garments throughout their generations." 39 "The tassels are to help them remember all the commandments of the LORD, that when they fail to follow them and sin," 40 "they will be reminded of the LORD's commandments and follow them once more," 41 "for I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt."

Numbers 16 - RWB Paraphrase (50 V)
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The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram
1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, the grandson of Kohath, the great grandson of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram, and the sons of Eliab and On, the sons of Peleth and Reuben, took action, 2 rising up before Moses along with some of the children of Israel. There were two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation who were well known men from the assembly. 3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have gone far enough. All the congregation is holy and the LORD is in their midst. So why do you exalt your yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" 4 When Moses heard this he fell on his face. 5 He said to Korah and the rest of his men, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who He has chosen and who is holy, and bring him near to Himself." 6 "Tomorrow each of you shall take a censer," 7 "and place fire in it. Then you will lay incense on the fire in the presence of the LORD. The man the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!"

8 Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi," 9 "isn't it enough that the God of Israel has chosen you out of the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and stand before the people ministering to them?" 10 "He has brought you near to Him, Korah, you and your brothers, sons of Levi. Are you wanting the priesthood also?" 11 "You and your company have gathered together against the LORD. And what reason can you have for grumbling against Aaron?"

12 Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they would not come. 13 They said, "Isn't it enough that you have brought us out of the land flowing with milk and honey so that we may die here in the wilderness? And now you lord it over us," 14 "for you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you also put out our eyes? We will not come to you!" 15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, "Do not have regard for their offering. I have never taken a single donkey from them or done them any harm."

16 Moses said to Korah, "You and all your company be present before the LORD tomorrow. Aaron will be there, too." 17 "All two hundred and fifty of you will each take his censer, place incense on it and bring it before the LORD. Aaron will bring his censor as well."

18 On the next day they each took a censor and placed fire in it. Then they laid incense on the fire and stood at the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

19 Korah had assembled all the congregation against Moses and Aaron at the tent of meeting. And the glory of the LORD appeared to everyone who had assembled. 20 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 21 "Separate yourselves from among this congregation. I will consume them in a moment." 22 But Moses and Aaron fell on their faces and said, "O God, God of all flesh, when one man sins will You be angry with the entire congregation?"

23 So the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24 "Tell the congregation to get away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram." 25 Moses got up, and taking the elders of Israel, went to Dathan and Abiram. 26 He spoke to the congregation, saying, "Get away from the tents of these wicked men. Touch nothing belonging to them, or you will be swept away with them in their sin." 27 So the people moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram stood in the doorway of their tents with their wives and little ones. 28 Moses said, "By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these deeds. What happens next is not my doing." 29 "If these men die a natural death then the LORD has not sent me." 30 "But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opened up and swallows them alive with all that is theirs, then you will understand that these men have provoked the LORD." 31 As he finished speaking the ground under them split open, 32 "and the earth swallowed them, with their households, and all those who belonged to Korah with their possessions." 33 They all went down alive into the pit and the earth closed over them. They perished from the midst of the congregation. 34 Everyone around them fled as those going down cried out, for they feared that they might go down with them. 35 Then fire came from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

36 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 37 "Tell Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, to take up the censers out of the midst of the blaze, for they are holy, and scatter the burning coals." 38 "Take the censers of the men who lost their lives and hammer them into sheets to make a covering for the altar. These censers are holy because they were presented before the LORD. They shall be a sign to the children of Israel."

39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers and had them hammered out as a plating for the altar. 40 They were to be a reminder to the children of Israel that no person who is not of the seed of Aaron is to come near to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become as Korah and his company, just as the LORD has spoken through Moses.

41 The next day the entire congregation of the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You caused the death of the LORD's people." 42 As the congregation assembled against Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud over the tabernacle. 43 Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45 "Get away from among the congregation so that I may consume them in an instant." Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces. 46 Moses told Aaron to take his censer, put fire from the alter in it and lay incense on it and go among the congregation and make atonement for them, for the plague from the LORD had already begun. 47 So Aaron took his censer and ran through the midst of the assembly to make atonement for the people and stop the plague that had come from the LORD. 48 He stood between the living and the dead and the plague was checked. 49 But those who died from the plague were 14,700, besides those who died because of Korah. 50 When the plague had been checked, Aaron returned to Moses at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

Numbers 17 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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Aaron's Rod Blossoms and Bears Fruit
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the children of Israel and ask them to provide a rod from each of the twelve tribes, one for each leader. Write the name of each leader on the rod from that tribe." 3 "And write Aaron's name on the rod of Levi." 4 "You shall then place the rods in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the testimony where I meet with you." 5 "I will cause the rod to blossom that belongs to the man I have chosen. This will cause the grumbling against you to stop among the children of Israel." 6 So Moses spoke to the leaders and each gave his rod, one from each of the twelve tribes. Aaron's rod was among them. 7 Moses placed the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle.

8 The next day, Moses went into the tabernacle and found that the Aaron's rod from the house of Levi had budded and brought forth blossoms and almonds. 9 Moses brought all the rods out from the presence of the LORD for all Israel to see. Each man took his rod. 10 But the LORD said to Moses, "Place Aaron's rod before the ark of testimony, to be kept as a sign against rebels, that they may stop grumbling so that they do not die." 11 So Moses did as the LORD commanded. 12 Then the children of Israel said to Moses, "Behold we will all perish." 13 "Everyone who comes near to the tabernacle of the LORD shall die. Will we all be consumed?"

Numbers 18 - RWB Paraphrase (32 V)
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The Tithes of Israel Are to Be Given to the Levites
1 And the LORD said to Aaron, "You and your sons shall bear the responsibility of the sanctuary." 2 "Your brethren from the tribe of Levi shall work with you and minister to you, but you and your sons shall minister before the tabernacle of the LORD." 3 "Your brethren shall attend you in your service but they shall not come near the vessels of the sanctuary or they and you will die." 4 "They shall be joined with you as you do your work in the sanctuary, and an outsider shall not come near you while you work." 5 "So you shall attend to the sanctuary and the altar, that no wrath fall any more on the children of Israel."

6 "Behold, I Myself have designated the Levites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD, to perform the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." 7 "But you and your sons shall attend to the priesthood for everything concerning the altar and inside the veil. I have bestowed on you the priesthood as your service. Anyone else who comes near shall be put to death."

8 Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying, "I have given you charge of My offerings, including all the gifts of the children of Israel. I have given them to you and your sons as your alotment forever." 9 "The most holy gifts reserved from the fire shall be yours. Every offering, including the grain offering and every sin offering which is rendered to Me, shall be most holy for you and your sons." 10 "These most holy gifts every male shall eat." 11 "It is the same for all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. You and your sons and daughters may eat of them. They are your perpetual alotment. Those of your household who are clean may eat of it." 12 "I give you the best of the oil and wine, of the wheat and the first fruits which are offered to the LORD." 13 "The first ripe fruits of all that is in the land which they bring to the LORD belong to you and everyone who is clean in your household." 14 "Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours." 15 "Every firstborn of all flesh, whether man or animal, which is offered to the LORD shall be yours. But the firstborn of man you shall redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem." 16 "The redemption price from a month old and up shall be by your valuation, five shekels in silver according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs." 17 "But the firstborn of an ox, a sheep or a goat, is not to be redeemed. These are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and offer their fat as an offering by fire for a soothing aroma to the LORD." 18 "Their meat shall be for you like the breast of the wave offering and the right thigh." 19 "All the offerings of holy things which the children of Israel offer to the LORD, I have given to you and your sons and daughters. This is a statute forever. It is a covenant of salt before the LORD forever for you and your descendants."

20 Then the LORD said to Moses, "You shall have no inheritance in the land or any portion among the people. I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel." 21 "To the sons of Levi I have given all the tithe in Israel as their inheritance, in return for their service performed in the tabernacle of the congregation."

22 "The children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they die." 23 "Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. This is to be the statute throughout all generations among the children of Israel." 24 "For the tithe of the children of Israel I have given to the Levites as an inheritance."

The Tithe of the Levites Is to Be Paid to Aaron
25 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Levites that the tithe are paid from all the children of Israel they shall also tithe, that is a tithe of the tithe." 26 "When they take the tithe from the children of Israel they shall pay a tithe of the tithe paid to them." 27 Tell them, "Your offering shall be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor and full produce from the wine vat." 28 "So you shall also present an offering to the LORD from the tithes you receive from the children of Israel. You shall give the LORD's offering to Aaron the priest." 29 "Every offering due the LORD shall be from the best of your increase. This part is sacred." 30 "When the best has been offered the rest shall be given to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor and the wine vat." 31 "You and your households may eat it anywhere because it is your compensation for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation." 32 "Because you have offered the best from it, you will bear no sin because of it. But if you profane the sacred gifts of the children of Israel you will die."

Numbers 19 - RWB Paraphrase (22 V)
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The Law of the Red Heifer
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 "This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded. Tell the children of Israel to bring a red heifer without blemish, that has never been placed under a yoke." 3 "Give it to Eleazar the priest. It shall be brought outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence." 4 "Seven times Eleazar shall sprinkle some of its blood toward the tabernacle of the congregation with his finger." 5 "Then every part of the heifer shall be burned while he watches." 6 "The priest shall cast cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet material into the fire that is burning the heifer." 7 "Then the priest shall wash his clothes and bath his body in water. Afterward he shall come into camp but be unclean until evening." 8 "The one who burns the heifer shall also wash his clothes and his body in water and remain unclean until evening." 9 "A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them in a clean place outside the camp. The congregation of the children of Israel shall keep it for purification from sin." 10 "The one who gathers the ashes shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. This is a perpetual statute unto the children of Israel as well as the alien living among them."

11 "The one who touches a corpse shall be unclean for seven days." 12 "He shall purify himself from uncleanness with water on the third and seventh day. After that he will be clean. He will not be clean if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh day." 13 "Anyone who touches a corpse and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from Israel because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him. His uncleanness will remain."

14 "This is the law when a man dies in a tent. Everyone who is in the tent, or comes into it, is unclean for seven days." 15 "Every vessel that is open or does not have a tight cover is also unclean." 16 "And anyone in the open field who touches one who has been slain, whether he died by the sword, or naturally, or if he touches a human bone or grave, he shall be unclean for seven days." 17 "Then the unclean person shall take some of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification from sin, and put them in a vessel with running water." 18 "A clean person shall dip hyssop in the water and sprinkle it on the tent and its furnishings as well as the people who were there. It shall be the same for the one having touched the human bone or having touched someone who died naturally or was slain in battle." 19 "The clean person shall sprinkle this water on the unclean person on the third day and the seven day. On the seventh day the one who was unclean shall purify himself, wash his clothes and his body, and be clean at evening." 20 "But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness shall be cut off from the congregation because he has defiled the LORD's sanctuary, since he was not sprinkled with the water for his impurity." 21 "So it shall be a statute forever. He who sprinkles the water on someone for their impurity shall be unclean until evening." 22 "Anything touched by an unclean person shall be unclean. And anyone touching a contaminated thing shall be unclean until evening."

Numbers 20 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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Moses Strikes the Rock a Second Time
1 The children of Israel came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month and stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there. 2 They had no water and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. 3 They contended with Moses, saying, "If only we had perished with our brothers when they perished before the LORD." 4 "Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness so that we and our animals will die?" 5 "Why did you even bring us out of Egypt to this wretched place? This is not a place of grain, figs, vines or pomegranates. There isn't even any water to drink." 6 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation and fell on their faces, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8 "Take Aaron's rod and gather the assembly together. You are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it shall give water to the congregation that they and their animals may drink." 9 So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as he had been commanded, 10 and with Aaron he gathered the congregation together before the rock. Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock?" 11 Then Moses lifted up the rod and struck the rock twice with the rod. Water gushed out and the congregation and their animals drank.

12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Since you did not show proper belief in Me, and did not treat Me as holy while Israel watched, you will not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." 13 Those were the waters of Meribah because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.

14 From Kadesh Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, "You know of all the hardship your brother Israel has endured." 15 "Our fathers went to Egypt for a long time and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly." 16 "We cried to the LORD and He heard us and sent His angel and brought us out of Egypt. Behold, now we are at the edge of your territory in Kadesh." 17 "Please allow us to pass through your land. We will not trample your fields or vineyards. We will not even drink water from one of your wells. We will go along the king's highway and turn neither to the right or the left until we have passed through your territory." 18 But Edom replied, "You shall not pass through our territory, or we will come out against you with the sword." 19 Again the children of Israel said to the king, "We will stay on the highway and if one of us or our cattle drink your water we will pay for it. Please let us pass through." 20 But he replied, "You shall not pass through." And Edom came out against them with many soldiers making a strong show of force. 21 Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory. So they turned away from Edom.

22 The children of Israel journeyed from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. 23 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying, 24 "Aaron will be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah." 25 "Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up to Mount Hor." 26 "Strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will die there." 27 So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and the congregation watched them as they climb Mount Hor. 28 After Moses had removed Aaron's garments and put them on Eleazar, Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29 When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died, they wept for him for thirty days.

Numbers 21 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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God Continues to Lead Israel and Give Them Victory
1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming the way the spies had previously come, he fought against them, and took some as prisoners. 2 So Israel made a vow to the LORD, saying, "If You will deliver this people into our hand, then we will utterly destroy their cities." 3 The LORD heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites to them, and they completely destroyed their cities. The place was called Hormah.

4 Then they set out for Mount Hor by way of the Red Sea so they could go around Edom. This journey discouraged the people. 5 They spoke against God and Moses, saying, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? There is no good food or water and we loathe this manna." 6 The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people and many of them died. 7 So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and you. Intercede for us that the LORD may remove the serpents." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who has been bitten and looks at this fiery serpent, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it up on a pole. Then those bitten by a serpent were healed when they looked up at the bronze serpent.

10 The children of Israel moved on and camped at Oboth. 11 Then they journeyed east from Oboth and camped at Ijeabarim in the wilderness opposite Moab. 12 From there they moved on to the valley of Zared. 13 From there they journeyed to the wilderness on the other side of Arnon and set up camp. This was on the border of the Amorites between Moab and the Amorites. 14 This is mentioned in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, that tells of what He did in the Red Sea, and in the wadis of the Arnon, 15 and on the slope of the wadis that extends to the site of Ar, which lies on the border of Moab.

16 From there they continued to Beer. Here the LORD told Moses to assemble the people so that He could give them water. 17 Then Israel sang this song: "Spring up O well! Sing unto it!" 18 "The princes dug the well, the nobles of the people dug it with their staffs, by the direction of the Lawgiver." From the wilderness they continued to Mattanah. 19 "And from Mattanah they went to Nahaliel and then to Bamoth." 20 "From Bamoth they went to the valley in Moab, to the top of Pisgah which overlooks Jeshimon." 21 Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, saying, 22 "Let us pass through your land. We will not turn into your fields or vineyards. We will not drink the water from your wells. We will stay on the King's highway until we pass your borders." 23 But Sihon would not permit Israel to pass through his land. He gathered all his people and went against Israel in the wilderness at Jahaz. 24 Then Israel struck Sihon with the sword and took his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, which was the border of Ammon. 25 Israel took all the cities of the Amorites, including Heshbon and all her villages. 26 Heshbon was the city of Sidon, king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken all his land as far as Arnon.

27 It became a proverb: "Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared." 28 "For a fire went out from Heshbon and a flame from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab and the lords of the high places in Arnon." 29 "Woe to you, O Moab! You are ruined. O Chemosh. Those of you who escaped have gone into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites." 30 "But we have cast them down. Heshbon is ruined as far as Dibon. We have laid them to waste as far as Nophah, even to Medeba." 31 Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.

32 Moses sent men to spy out Jazer and they captured its villages and drove out the Amorites that were there. 33 Then they turned and went up by way of Bashan. Og the king of Bashan came out with all his people for battle at Edrei. 34 But the LORD said to Moses, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have deliver him and all his people into your hand. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites." 35 So they killed him and his sons and all his people until there were none left, and they possessed his land.

Numbers 22 - RWB Paraphrase (41 V)
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Balak Asks Balaam to Curse Israel
1 Then the children of Israel journeyed and camped in the plains of Moab east of the Jordan River and opposite Jericho. 2 Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 Moab was in a state of great fear because of Israel. There were so many Israelites. 4 Balak said to the elders of Midian, "This horde will lick up all of us, like an ox pulling in grass with its tongue." Balak was the king of Moab at the time. 5 He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is by the Jordan, saying, "There is a people who have come out of Egypt and they cover the earth. And now they are against me." 6 "Please come and curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Then, perhaps, I can defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed." 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian took money to pay Balaam for his services and told him all that Balak had said. 8 Balaam told them to spend the night and he would bring word from the LORD when he heard what He had to say. 9 That night God came to Balaam and said, "Who are the men staying with you?" 10 Balaam said to God, "Balak, king of Moab has sent word to me." 11 "Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the earth. He has asked me to curse them so that he will be able to drive them out of the land." 12 God said to Balaam, "Do not go with these men to curse this people, for they are blessed."

13 So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you." 14 The leaders of Moab returned to Balak and told him that Balaam had refused to come with them.

15 Then Balak sent more distinguished leaders to Balaam. 16 They said to him, "Balak the son of Zippor asks that you let nothing hinder you from coming to him." 17 "He plans to honor you with riches and he will do whatever you say. He asks that you come and curse this people for him." 18 Balaam replied, "Even if Balak were to give me a house full of gold, I cannot do anything contrary to the command of the LORD my God." 19 "Please stay the night and I will see what the LORD has to say to me."

20 God came to Balaam that night and said to him, "If the men want you to go with them, get up and go with them. But you will only be able to speak the words I give you."

21 So Balaam got up the next morning, saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. 22 But God was angry with him for going. The angel of the LORD stood in his way as an adversary. Balaam was riding his donkey and had two servants with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in his way with a drawn sword, he turned off the path into a field. Balaam struck the donkey to bring her back on the path. 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood at a narrow place in a path through some vineyards. The path went between two walls. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself against the wall so that Balaam's foot was scraped against the wall. So he struck her again. 26 The angel of the LORD went farther and stood in a narrow place where there was no place for the donkey to turn aside. 27 Seeing the angel of the LORD in this place the donkey lay down under Balaam, who then became so angry he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth and she spoke to Balaam, saying, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29 Balaam answered, saying, "Because you have mocked me. If I had a sword I would kill you right now." 30 The donkey said, "I am your donkey and I have carried you all my life. Have I ever done this before?"

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his sword drawn. Balaam fell on his face and bowed to the ground. 32 The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey three times? I have come against you because you are going contrary to my command." 33 "But the donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If she had not turned aside I would have surely killed you and let her live." 34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. To please you I will now turn back." 35 But the angel of the LORD said to him, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the words I give to you." So Balaam went with Balak's leaders.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab on the Arnon border which is at the edge of Moab. 37 Balak said to Balaam, "I made an urgent call to you and you were slow in coming. How can I honor you under these circumstances?" 38 Balaam replied, "See, now I have come. But I will only be able to speak the words the LORD puts into my mouth."

39 And Balaam went with Balak to Kiriathhuzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and sent some to Balaam and to the leaders with him. 41 After this he brought Balaam to a high place of Baal overlooking some of the children of Israel.

Numbers 23 - RWB Paraphrase (30 V)
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Balaam Cannot Curse Israel
1 Balaam told Balak to build seven altars and prepare seven oxen and seven rams. 2 Balak did as Balaam directed. Then Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 After this Balaam said to Balak, "Stand beside your burnt offering while I go and pray. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me. Whatever He shows me I will tell you." So Balaam went to a high bare hill. 4 Now God met Balaam and Balaam said to God, "I have set up seven altars and have offered a bull and a ram on each." 5 Then the LORD put words in Balaam's mouth and told him to return to Balak and what he should say.

6 So Balaam returned to Balak who was standing beside his burnt offering along with all his leaders.

7 Balaam spoke this parable: "Balak the king of Moab brought me from Amram, out of the mountains from the east. He asked me to curse Jacob and defy Israel." 8 "How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those the LORD has not denounced?" 9 "I see this people from among the rocks on the hill top. These people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations." 10 "Who can count the descendants of Jacob, even a fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous and let my end be like his!"

11 Then Balak said, "What have you done to me? I asked you to curse my enemies and you have blessed them!" 12 Balaam replied, "I must be careful to say what the LORD puts in my mouth?"

13 Then Balak said to him, "Please come to a different place where you can see a different part of them. Please curse these others for me." 14 And Balak took Balaam to the field belonging to Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each. 15 Balaam told Balak to stand by his burnt offering while he went away to meet the LORD. 16 Then the LORD met with Balaam and put words in his mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and tell him what I tell you to speak." 17 Balaam came to Balak while he was still standing beside his burnt offering. His leaders stood there with him. Balak said, "What has the LORD said?" 18 Then Balaam took up his parable and said, "Arise, Balak, and hear me, O son of Zippor!" 19 "God is not a man. He cannot lie and He does not repent. He stands by whatever He says and He will not change His mind." 20 "He has commanded me to bless. I cannot reverse this blessing." 21 "He has not seen iniquity in Jacob nor has He seen perverseness in Israel. The LORD God is with him and the shout of a king is among them." 22 "God brought them out of Egypt. He is for them with strength of the wild ox." 23 "For there is no omen against Jacob nor is there a prediction against Israel. At the proper time it shall be said of Israel, 'See what God has done!'" 24 "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion in it prime. He shall not lie down until his prey is devoured and he drinks the blood of the slain."

25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them and do not bless them!" 26 But Balaam said, "Didn't I tell you that I can only say what the LORD speaks through me?"

27 Then Balak said, "Let's go to another place. Perhaps it will please God to curse them from that place." 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks toward Jeshimon. 29 Balaam told Balak to build seven altars and prepare seven bulls and seven rams in this new location. 30 Balak did this and Balaam offered up the bulls and the rams as before.

Numbers 24 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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Balaam Blesses Israel and Foretells the Coming Messiah
1 When Balaam saw that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel, he no longer tried to seek omens against them. Instead he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 As he looked he saw Israel camping by tribes and the Spirit of God came upon him. 3 Taking up his discourse he said, "This is the oracle of Balaam, whose eyes have been opened." 4 "He hears the words of God and sees visions of the Almighty. His eyes have been uncovered." 5 "How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel." 6 "You are like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the river. You are like aloes planted by the LORD, and cedars beside the waters." 7 "Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag, his kingdom shall be exalted." 8 "God brings him out of Egypt. He is for him with the strength of the wild ox. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries. And He will crush them scattering them with his arrows." 9 "He crouches and lies down like a lion. Who would dare to rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you and cursed is everyone who curses you."

10 Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. Striking his hands together, he said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but you continue to bless them!" 11 "Therefore, get away from here quickly. I would have honored you greatly, but the LORD has kept you from this honor." 12 Balaam said, "Didn't I make this plain to your messengers," 13 "when I said, 'Though Balak should give me a room full of gold and silver, I can do nothing contrary to the command of the LORD? What the LORD says, I must say.'" 14 "And now. I am going to my people. If you wish, you may come to me to find out what this people will do to your people in the coming days." 15 Then he continued his discourse, saying, "The oracle of Balaam, the son of Beor, the oracle of a man whose eyes have been opened," 16 "the oracle of him who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High. He saw the vision of the Almighty while in a trance. His eyes have been opened." 17 "I see him, but not now. I behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise out of Israel. It will smite Moab and tear down the children of Sheth." 18 "Edom shall be a possession. Seir shall also be a possession for his enemies. And Israel shall do valiantly." 19 "Out of Jacob shall come Him who has dominion. He shall destroy the remnant from the city."

20 And he looked at Amalek and continued his discourse, saying, "Amalek was the first of nations, but his end shall be destruction."

21 And he looked at the Kenite, and said, "Your dwelling place is enduring. Your nest is set in a cliff." 22 "Nevertheless, the Kenite will be consumed until Asshur takes you captive." 23 And he continued, saying, "Who can live except God ordains it?" 24 "Ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and afflict Asshur and Eber. These shall also be destroyed." 25 Then Balaam arose and departed to his own place and Balak went his way.

Numbers 25 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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Israel Joined Themselves to Baal of Peor
1 While Israel remained in Shittim the people committed whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 Moab had invited the people of Israel to sacrifices to their gods. The people of Israel ate with them and bowed down to their gods. 3 In this way Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor. And the LORD was angry. 4 The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and execute them before the LORD that His anger may be turned away from Israel." 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you is to slay the men of your tribe who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor."

6 Then it happened that one of the children of Israel brought a Midianite woman to his relatives in the sight of Moses and all the congregation of the children of Israel while they wept before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron saw this, he arose from the midst of the congregation and taking a spear in his hand, 8 went after the man into the tent and thrust it through both the man of Israel and the Midianite woman. So the plague on the children of Israel was stayed. 9 There were 24,000 that died in the plague. 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, 11 "because Phinehas the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest was jealous for Me, My wrath was turned away from the children of Israel and I have not destroy all of them." 12 "Therefore, tell him that I give him My covenant of peace," 13 "and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, for a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the children of Israel."

14 Now the name of the slain man of Israel who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of his father's household among the Simeonites. 15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain with him was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur. He was head over a group of people and of a chief house in Midian.

16 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 17 "Strike the Midianites," 18 "for they have been hostile to you with their tricks with which they have deceived you in the affair of Peor concerning Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, who was slain on the day of the plague."

Numbers 26 - RWB Paraphrase (65 V)
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God Directs Moses to Number Israel Once More
1 After the plague the LORD spoke to Moses and Eleazar, Aaron's son, saying, 2 "Take a census of all the children of Israel twenty years and older, counting those old enough to go to war for Israel." 3 So it was, on the plains of Moab by the river Jordon near Jericho, that Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to the children of Israel. They said, 4 "The LORD has commanded that a census be taken of the people twenty years and older, who came out of the land of Egypt."

5 Reuben, Israel's firstborn, the children of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; Of Pallu, the family of the Palluites. 6 Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; Of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7 These are the families of the Reubenites, and those who were numbered of them were 43,730.

8 The son of Pallu, Eliab. 9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the LORD, 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning. 11 However, the sons of Korah did not die.

12 The sons of Simeon according to their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites, Of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites, Of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites, 13 of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites, of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14 These are the families of the Simeonites, 22,200.

15 The sons of Gad according to their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites, of Haggi, the family of the Haggites, of Shuni, the family of the Shunites, 16 of Ozni, the family of the Oznites, of Eri, the family of the Erites, 17 of Arod, the family of the Arodites, Of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18 These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them, 40,500.

19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20 The sons of Judah according to their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites, of Perez, the family of the Perezites, of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. 21 The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites, of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22 These are the families of Judah according to those who were numbered of them, 76,500.

23 The sons of Issachar according to their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites, Of Puvah, the family of the Punites, 24 of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites, of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25 These are the families of Issachar according to those who were numbered of them, 64,300.

26 The sons of Zebulun according to their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites, of Elon, the family of the Elonites, of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those who were numbered of them, 60,500.

28 The sons of Joseph according to their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites, and Machir became the father of Gilead: of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. 30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the family of the Iezerites, of Helek, the family of the Helekites, 31 and of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites, and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites, 32 and of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites, and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but only daughters. And their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. 34 These are the families of Manasseh, and their number came to 52,700.

35 These are the sons of Ephraim according to their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites, of Becher, the family of the Becherites, of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36 These are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those who were numbered of them, 32,500. These are the sons of Joseph according to their families.

38 The sons of Benjamin according to their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites, of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites, of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites, 39 of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites, of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites, of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41 These are the sons of Benjamin according to their families, and those who were numbered of them were 45,600.

42 These are the sons of Dan according to their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan according to their families. 43 All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those who were numbered of them, were 64,400.

44 The sons of Asher according to their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites, of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites, of Beriah, the family of the Beriites. 45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites, of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46 The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were numbered of them, 53,400.

48 The sons of Naphtali according to their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites, of Guni, the family of the Gunites, 49 of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites, of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families, and those who were numbered of them were 45,400.

51 These are those who were numbered of the children of Israel, 601,730.

52 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 53 "The land shall be divided for an inheritance based on the number of people in each tribe." 54 "The larger groups shall have a greater inheritance than the smaller groups. You shall base the size of the inheritance on the number of people in each tribe." 55 "And the land shall be divided by lot." 56 "According to the selection by lot each group, whether small or large, shall receive its inheritance."

57 These are those who were numbered of the Levites according to their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites, of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites, of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58 These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram. 59 The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and their sister Miriam. 60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61 But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the LORD. 62 Those who were numbered of them were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward, for they were not numbered among the children of Israel since no inheritance was given to them among the children of Israel.

63 These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 And among all of these there was not a man who was numbered by Moses and Aaron when the spies brought back a bad report. 65 For the LORD told them then, "They shall surely die in the wilderness." And not a man was left of them except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 27 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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Inheritance for Daughters without Brothers
1 Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph, came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses and Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, at the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation. 3 They said, "Our father died in the wilderness, though he was not among those who gathered against the LORD with Korah. And he died without sons." 4 "Why should our father's name be done away with among his family because he has no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers." 5 So Moses brought the matter to the LORD. 6 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 7 "The daughters of Zelophehad are correct. You shall give them a hereditary possession among their father's brothers. You shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them." 8 "And you shall tell the children of Israel that when a man dies without a son, you shall transfer the inheritance to his daughter." 9 "If he has no daughter, then give his inheritance to his brothers." 10 "If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers." 11 "If his father has no brothers, then give his inheritance to his closest relative." This is to be a statutory ordinance of judgment unto the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.

12 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go up to this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel." 13 "After you have seen this, you too will be gathered to your people just as your brother Aaron was." 14 "For in the wilderness of Zin, when the congregation expressed strife, you rebelled against my command to treat Me as holy before Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin."

15 Then Moses said to the LORD, 16 "may the LORD, the God of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation," 17 "who will who will come in and go out before them and lead them, so that the congregation will not be like sheep without shepherd."

18 So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hands on him." 19 "Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation and commission him in their sight." 20 "Put some of your authority on him so that all the children of Israel may obey him." 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask for him by the judgment of Urim before the LORD. At his command the children of Israel shall come in and go out.

22 Moses did just as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the congregation. 23 Then he laid hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD had directed.

Numbers 28 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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More About Offerings by Fire
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 "command the children of Israel to be careful to present My food offering by fire, for a soothing aroma to Me at their appointed times." 3 "Say to them, 'This is the offering by fire which you shall offer to the LORD: two year old male lambs without defect as a continual burnt offering every day.'" 4 "Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight." 5 "Also a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering mixed with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil." 6 "This is to be a continual burnt offering to the LORD which was ordained at Mount Sinai as a soothing aroma to the LORD." 7 "Then you shall pour out the drink offering before the LORD in the holy place. It shall be a fourth of a hin for each lamb." 8 "The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, offering with it the same things you offered in the morning as a soothing aroma to the LORD." 9 "Then on the Sabbath day two male lambs, each a year old without defect, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering and the drink offering." 10 "This is the burnt offering of every Sabbath in addition to the continual burnt offering and drink offering."

11 "At the beginning of each month you shall present a burnt offering to the LORD of two bulls, one ram and seven male lambs, each one year old without defect," 12 "and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering for each bull, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering with the ram," 13 "a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering for each lamb, for a burnt offering for a soothing aroma by fire to the LORD." 14 "Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, a third of a hin for the ram and a fourth of a hin for a lamb. This is to be the burnt offering for each month of the year." 15 "And one male goat for a sin offering to the LORD. It shall be offered with its drink offering in addition to the continual burnt offering."

16 "The fourteenth day of the first month shall be the LORD's Passover." 17 "On the fifteenth day of the same month there shall be a Feast of Unleavened Bread that is eaten for seven days." 18 "The first day is a holy convocation with no laborious work being done." 19 "You shall present an offering by fire to the LORD of two bulls, one ram and seven male lambs, each a year old and without defect." 20 "For their grain offering you shall offer three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a bull, and two tenths for the ram." 21 "You shall offer a tenth of an ephah for each lamb," 22 "and one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement for you." 23 "Present these in addition to the burnt offering of the morning, which is the continual burnt offering." 24 "In the same way you shall present the daily for seven days, the food of the offering by fire as a soothing aroma to the LORD. It shall be presented with its drink offering in addition to the continual burnt offering." 25 "And on the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation in which you do no laborious work."

26 "On the day of First Fruits, when you present a new grain offering to the LORD in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation and do no laborious work." 27 "You shall offer a burnt offering for a soothing aroma to the LORD having two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs, each a year old," 28 "along with their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for each bull and two tenths of an ephah for each ram." 29 "And a tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs," 30 "and a male goat to make atonement for you." 31 "Besides the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, you shall present them with their drink offerings, everything without defect."

Numbers 29 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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More About Offerings
1 "On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation with no hard work. It is to be a day for blowing trumpets." 2 "You shall offer a burnt offering as a soothing aroma to the LORD. Offer one bull, one ram and seven lambs, each a year old and without defect." 3 Their grain offering is to be of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for the bull, two tenths for the ram, 4 "and one tenth for each of the seven lambs." 5 "Offer one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement for you." 6 "This is to be done in addition to the burnt offering of the new moon and its grain offering, the continual burnt offering and its specified grain offering and drink offerings by fire as a soothing aroma for the LORD."

7 "On the seventh day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation, humbling yourself and doing no work." 8 "You shall present a burnt offering to the LORD as a soothing aroma having one bull, one ram, seven lambs, each a year old and without defect." 9 "Their grain offering shall be of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for the bull, two tenths of an ephah for the ram," 10 "and a tenth for each of the seven lambs," 11 "and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings."

12 "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation with no hard work. You shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days," 13 "presenting a burnt offering by fire as a soothing aroma to the LORD. Have thirteen bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old and without defect." 14 "Their grain offering is to be of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for each of the thirteen bulls, two tenths for each of the two rams," 15 "and a tenth for each of the fourteen lambs," 16 "as well as one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and drink offering."

17 "On the second day have twelve bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs, each one year old without defect," 18 "and their grain offering and drink offerings for the bulls, the rams and the lambs, by their number according to the ordinance," 19 "and one male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering and its grain offering and drink offerings."

20 "The third day will have eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs one year old and without blemish," 21 "along with the same grain and drink offerings for each animal according to the ordinance," 22 "and a male goat for a sin offering besides the continual burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings."

23 "On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs one year old without defect," 24 "their grain and drink offerings according to the ordinance," 25 "and a male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings."

26 "On the fifth day: nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs one year old without defect," 27 "their grain and drink offerings for each animal according to the ordinance," 28 "and a male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings."

29 "Then on the sixth day: eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs one year old without defect," 30 "their grain and drink offerings for each animal according to the ordinance," 31 "and a male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings."

32 "On the seventh day: seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs one year old without defect," 33 "their grain and drink offerings for each animal according to the ordinance," 34 "and a male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings."

35 "Then on the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly and do no hard work." 36 "You shall present a burnt offering by fire as a soothing aroma to the LORD having one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old and without defect," 37 "and their grain and drink offerings for each animal according to the ordinance," 38 "and one male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering with its grain and drink offering." 39 "You shall present these to the LORD at the appointed times, along with your votive offerings and your freewill offerings with their grain and drink offerings as well as your peace offerings."

40 Moses spoke to the children of Israel telling them all that the LORD had commanded him.

Numbers 30 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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Law Concerning Vows
1 Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, "This is the what the LORD has commanded:" 2 "if a man makes a vow to the LORD, binding himself to an obligation, he shall not go back on his word. He shall do everything he has vowed." 3 "And if a woman makes a vow to the LORD while she lives in her father's house," 4 "and her father hears her vow, and says nothing to her, her vow shall stand." 5 "But if her father forbids her to make the vow when he hears it, none of her vows shall stand. The LORD will forgive her because her father had forbidden her." 6 "However, if she should marry while under her vows," 7 "and her husband hears of it and says nothing, then her vows by which she has bound herself shall stand." 8 "But if on the day her husband hears of it he then forbids her, then he has annulled her vow and she is no longer bound by the vow she made. The LORD will forgive her." 9 "The vow of a widow or a divorced woman shall stand." 10 "However, if she vowed in her husband's house," 11 "and her husband heard it and said nothing, her vows stands." 12 "But if her husband annulled her vows her vows shall not stand the LORD will forgive her." 13 "Every vow she makes her husband may confirm or annul." 14 "But if he says nothing about them, then he has confirmed them." 15 "If he does annul them after hearing of her vows, then he shall bear her guilt."

16 "These are the statutes which the LORD commanded Moses concerning the relationship between a man and his wife and a father and his daughter while she is a youth in his house."

Numbers 31 - RWB Paraphrase (54 V)
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Vengeance Against Midian
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel. After that you will be gathered to your people." 3 So Moses spoke to the people, saying, "Arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD's vengeance on them." 4 "Assemble a thousand from each tribe and arm them for war." 5 "So twelve thousand were armed and made ready." 6 Moses sent them to war along with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the holy instruments and the trumpets for the alarm.

7 So they made war against Midian just as the LORD had commanded, and killed every male. 8 They killed the five kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. 9 The children of Israel took all the women of Midian captive, with their little ones and their cattle, flocks and all their goods. 10 They burned all their cities and camps, 11 and took all the spoil, both man and beast. 12 They brought the captives and all the spoil to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest and to all the children of Israel that were camped on the plain of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho. 13 Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the congregation met them outside of the camp.

14 Moses was angry with those in charge of the campaign, 15 asking them, "Why have you spared the women?" 16 "It is the women of Midian who cause the children of Israel through Balaam's council to sin against the LORD at Peor resulting in a plague from the LORD." 17 "Now kill every male among the little ones and all the women who have lain with a man." 18 "The women who have not known a man intimately you may spare for yourselves." 19 "Anyone who has killed someone, or touched a dead person must stay outside the camp for seven days and purify himself. This must also to be done for each captive on the third and seventh day." 20 "You shall purify every garment, every leather article, those things made from goat hair and every article of wood."

21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the men who had gone to battle, "The statute of the law which the LORD commanded Moses," 22 "says that the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin and lead," 23 "and anything that can stand the fire shall pass through the fire in order to be clean. Then it shall be washed with water. That which cannot withstand fire must be purified with water." 24 "You shall be clean on the seventh day after you wash your clothes. After that you may enter the camp."

25 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 26 "You, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation count the booty, both of man and animal." 27 "Divide the booty between those who went to battle and the rest of the congregation." 28 "Levy a tax for the LORD from those who went to war: one in five hundred of the people, the cattle, donkeys and sheep." 29 "Give this to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD." 30 "Then from the rest of the congregation take one in fifty of the people, cattle, donkeys and sheep and give these to the Levites who take care of the tabernacle of the LORD." 31 Moses and Eleazar did just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 32 The booty that the men of war had collected was 675,000 sheep, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys, 35 and 32,000 women who had not been intimate with a man. 36 To those who went out to war, was given 337,500 sheep, 37 the LORD's portion was 675 sheep, 38 from 36,000 cattle 72 were the LORD's, 39 and of the 30,500 donkeys 61 belonged to the LORD. 40 There were 16,000 women and 32 were the LORD's levy. 41 Moses gave the LORD's portion to Eleazar the priest just as the LORD had commanded.

42 From the half given to the children of Israel who had not gone to war, 43 there were 337,500 sheep, 44 36,000 cattle, 45 30,500 donkeys, 46 and 16,000 women. 47 From what was given to the children of Israel, Moses took one out of fifty of both man and animals, and gave them to the Levites who took care of the tabernacle of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

48 The officers who were over thousands, and those over hundreds, approached Moses, 49 and said to him, "We have taken a census of the men of war and no one is missing." 50 "So we have brought as an offering to the LORD what each man found. We have brought articles of gold and all kinds of jewelry, as an atonement for ourselves before the LORD." 51 Moses and Eleazar the priest received these things from them. 52 The gold received from them came to 16,750 shekels. 53 This came from what the men of war had each taken as booty for themselves. 54 So Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold and brought it to the tabernacle of the congregation as a memorial to the LORD.

Numbers 32 - RWB Paraphrase (42 V)
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The Sons of Reuben and Gad Ask to Settle East of the Jordan
1 Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had a great number of livestock. When they saw the land of Jazer and Gilead, they saw that it was an excellent place for cattle. 2 They spoke with Moses and Eleazar the priest as well as the leaders of the congregation, 3 Ataroth, Dibon, Jazar, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, saying to them, 4 "the land which the LORD has conquered, is a good land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." 5 "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as their possession. We will be happy on this side of the Jordan." 6 But Moses said to the sons of Gad and Reuben, "Will your brothers go to war while you stay here?" 7 "This will discourage them from crossing over into the land which the LORD has given them." 8 "This is what your fathers did when I sent them from KadeshBarnea to look at the land." 9 "They went to the valley of Eshcol and having seen the land they discouraged the children of Israel, thus preventing them from going into the land that the LORD had given them." 10 "So the LORD's anger burned against them on that day, and He said," 11 "'None of the men who came out of Egypt, from twenty years and older, shall see the land I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because they did not follow Me.'" 12 "Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite is the exception along with Joshua the son of Nun, for they followed the LORD fully." 13 "So the LORD's anger burned against Israel and He made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the entire generation of those who had done evil in the sight of the LORD had died." 14 "Now behold, you have risen up in your father's place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel." 15 "For if you turn from following Him, He will abandon Israel again in the wilderness, and you will be the cause."

16 Then the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came near to Moses and said, "We will not build sheepfolds or cities for our little ones." 17 "Instead we will be armed and ready to go with the children of Israel until they have been brought into their place. Our little ones will remain in the fortified cities of the land until the land is subdued." 18 "We will not return to our homes until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance." 19 "For we will not be with their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan, for ours is on the east side." 20 So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, and arm yourselves before the LORD for war," 21 "and all of your armed men will cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven out His enemies from the land," 22 "subduing the land before the LORD, then after that you shall return and be free of obligation to the LORD and Israel. And this land shall be your possession." 23 "But if you will not do this, you have sinned against the LORD, and you may be sure your sin will find you out." 24 "Build cities for yourselves and your families. Build sheepfold for your sheep, and do what you have promised." 25 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben said to Moses, "Your servants will do as the LORD has commanded." 26 "Our wives and little ones as well as our livestock and cattle shall remain in the cities of Gilead," 27 "while everyone of your servants who is armed for war will cross over before the LORD to do battle, just as the LORD has commanded." 28 So Moses made a proclamation in the presence of Eleazar the high priest, and Joshua, and all the heads of the tribes of Israel. 29 He said, "If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben cross over the Jordan to join you in battle to subdue the land, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as their possession." 30 "But if they do not keep their promise, their possession shall be among you in Canaan." 31 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered, "As the LORD has said unto your servants, so we shall do." 32 "We will cross over armed in the presence of the LORD into Canaan, but our possession shall remain with us east of the Jordan." 33 So Moses gave to the sons of Gad, the sons of Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og, the king of Bashan, the land with its cities, their territories and the surrounding land. 34 The sons of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35 and Atroth, Shophan, Jazar, Jogbehah, 36 and BethNimrah and BethHaran as fortified cities with sheepfolds.

37 The sons of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38 and Nebo, Baalmeon, whose names were changed, and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built.

39 The sons of Machir, the Son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, dispossessing the Amorites who were there. 40 So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the Son of Manasseh and he lived in it. 41 Jair the Son of Manasseh took its towns and called them Havothjair. 42 Nobah took Kenath and its villages and named it Nobah after himself.

Numbers 33 - RWB Paraphrase (56 V)
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All the Places Israel Camped Between Egypt and Canaan
1 These are the journeys of the children of Israel as they came from Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2 Moses recorded their progress as the LORD had led.

3 They started in Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month. It was the day after the Passover that the children of Israel started out boldly as all of Egypt watched. 4 The Egyptians were burying their firstborn whom the LORD had struck down as a judgment against their gods.

5 From there the children of Israel traveled to and camped in Succoth.