⁴ But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people. Then he returned to Jerusalem

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.

¹⁸ But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

⁴ His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.

³ But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God let you live to see a hundred times as many people as there are now! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this?”

⁴ But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out to count the people of Israel. ⁵ First they crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the town in the valley, in the direction of Gad. Then they went on to Jazer, ⁶ then to Gilead in the land of Tahtim-hodshi^[a] and to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon. ⁷ Then they came to the fortress of Tyre, and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went south to Judah^[b] as far as Beersheba.

⁸ Having gone through the entire land for nine months and twenty days, they returned to Jerusalem.

¹⁷ But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too.