²⁵ Moses saw that the people were out of control because Aaron had let them get out of control, making them an easy target for their enemies. ²⁶ So Moses stood at the camp’s gate and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side, come to me!” All the Levites gathered around him. ²⁷ Moses said to them, “This is what the Lord, Israel’s God, says: Each of you, strap on your sword! Go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Each of you, kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor!” ²⁸ The Levites did as Moses commanded. About three thousand people were killed that day. ²⁹ Moses said, “Today you’ve been ordained to the Lord, each one of you at the cost of a son or a brother. Today you’ve gained a special blessing for yourselves.”