⁶ Slaughter^(A) the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children,^(B) but do not touch anyone who has the mark.^(C) Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men^(D) who were in front of the temple.^(E)

⁴ They were told not to harm^(A) the grass of the earth or any plant or tree,^(B) but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.^(C)

²³ When the Lord goes through the land to strike^(A) down the Egyptians, he will see the blood^(B) on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over^(C) that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer^(D) to enter your houses and strike you down.

¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^(A) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^(B) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^(C) must turn away from wickedness.”

³ “Do not harm^(A) the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads^(B) of the servants of our God.”

²⁹ See, I am beginning to bring disaster^(A) on the city that bears my Name,^(B) and will you indeed go unpunished?^(C) You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword^(D) on all^(E) who live on the earth,^(F) declares the Lord Almighty.’

⁴⁷ “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.^(A)

¹⁷ He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians,^[a](A) who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and did not spare young men^(B) or young women, the elderly or the infirm.^(C) God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.^(D)

¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;^(A) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?^{(B) 18} And,