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Leviticus 9:22-10:11
Contemporary English Version
Leviticus 9:22-10:11
Contemporary English Version
22 (A) Aaron held out his hand and gave the people his blessing, before coming down from the bronze altar where he had offered the sacrifices. 23 He and Moses went into the sacred tent, and when they came out, they gave the people their blessing. Then the Lord appeared to the people in all of his glory. 24 The Lord sent fiery flames that burned up everything on the altar, and when everyone saw this, they shouted and fell to their knees to worship the Lord.
Nadab and Abihu
10 Nadab and Abihu were two of Aaron's sons, but they disobeyed the Lord by burning incense to him on a fire pan, when they were not supposed to.[a] 2 Suddenly the Lord sent fiery flames and burned them to death. 3 Then Moses told Aaron that this was exactly what the Lord had meant when he said:
“I demand respect
from my priests,
and I will be praised
by everyone!”
Aaron was speechless.
4 Moses sent for Mishael and Elzaphan, the two sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel. Then he told them, “Take these two dead relatives of yours outside the camp far from the entrance to the sacred tent.” 5 So they dragged the dead men away by their clothes.
6 Then Moses told Aaron and his other two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar:
Don't show your sorrow by messing up your hair and tearing your priestly clothes, or the Lord will get angry. He will kill the three of you and punish everyone else. It's all right for your relatives, the people of Israel, to mourn for those he destroyed by fire. 7 But you are the Lord's chosen priests, and you must not leave the sacred tent, or you will die.
Aaron and his two sons obeyed Moses.
8 The Lord said to Aaron:
9 When you or your sons enter the sacred tent, you must never drink beer or wine. If you do, you will die right there! This law will never change. 10 You must learn the difference between what is holy and what isn't holy and between the clean and the unclean. 11 You must also teach the people of Israel everything that I commanded Moses to say to them.
Footnotes
- 10.1 when they … to: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Leviticus 9:22-10:11
New International Version
Leviticus 9:22-10:11
New International Version
22 Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them.(A) And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.
23 Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting.(B) When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord(C) appeared to all the people. 24 Fire(D) came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.(E)
The Death of Nadab and Abihu
10 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu(F) took their censers,(G) put fire in them(H) and added incense;(I) and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord,(J) contrary to his command.(K) 2 So fire came out(L) from the presence of the Lord and consumed them,(M) and they died before the Lord.(N) 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:
“‘Among those who approach me(O)
I will be proved holy;(P)
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored.(Q)’”
Aaron remained silent.
4 Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan,(R) sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel,(S) and said to them, “Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp,(T) away from the front of the sanctuary.(U)” 5 So they came and carried them, still in their tunics,(V) outside the camp, as Moses ordered.
6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar,(W) “Do not let your hair become unkempt[a](X) and do not tear your clothes,(Y) or you will die and the Lord will be angry with the whole community.(Z) But your relatives, all the Israelites, may mourn(AA) for those the Lord has destroyed by fire. 7 Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting(AB) or you will die, because the Lord’s anointing oil(AC) is on you.” So they did as Moses said.
8 Then the Lord said to Aaron, 9 “You and your sons are not to drink wine(AD) or other fermented drink(AE) whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance(AF) for the generations to come, 10 so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,(AG) 11 and so you can teach(AH) the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.(AI)”
Footnotes
- Leviticus 10:6 Or Do not uncover your heads
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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