²⁷ We must take a three-day journey^(A) into the wilderness to offer sacrifices^(B) to the Lord our God, as he commands us.”

¹⁸ “The elders of Israel will listen^(A) to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews,^(B) has met^(C) with us. Let us take a three-day journey^(D) into the wilderness to offer sacrifices^(E) to the Lord our God.’

¹² And God said, “I will be with you.^(A) And this will be the sign^(B) to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you^[a] will worship God on this mountain.^(C)”

²⁰ and teaching^(A) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(B) always, to the very end of the age.”^(C)

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)

¹¹ Obey what I command^(A) you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.^(B)

²⁶ Our livestock too must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the Lord our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the Lord.”

Bricks Without Straw

5 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go,^(A) so that they may hold a festival^(B) to me in the wilderness.’”