The Death of Nadab and Abihu

10 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu^(A) took their censers,^(B) put fire in them^(C) and added incense;^(D) and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord,^(E) contrary to his command.^{(F) 2} So fire came out^(G) from the presence of the Lord and consumed them,^(H) and they died before the Lord.^{(I) 3} Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:

Aaron remained silent.

⁸ Then the Lord said to Aaron, ⁹ “You and your sons are not to drink wine^(A) or other fermented drink^(B) whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance^(C) for the generations to come, ¹⁰ so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,^{(D) 11} and so you can teach^(E) the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.^(F)”