⁷ The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act;^(A) therefore God struck him down,^(B) and he died there beside the ark of God.

¹⁹ But God struck down^(A) some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy^[a] of them to death because they looked^(B) into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them.

¹³ It was because you, the Levites,^(A) did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us.^(B) We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.^(C)”

¹⁰ The Lord’s anger^(A) burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down^(B) because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

³⁰ That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.^{(A) 31} But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.^{(B) 32} Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined^(C) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.^(D)

² Then David said, “No one but the Levites^(A) may carry^(B) the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister^(C) before him forever.”

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.