19-20 “If you think the land of your possession isn’t holy enough but somehow contaminated, come back over to God’s possession, where God’s Dwelling is set up, and take your land there, but don’t rebel against God. And don’t rebel against us by building your own altar apart from the Altar of our God. When Achan son of Zerah violated the holy curse, didn’t anger fall on the whole congregation of Israel? He wasn’t the only one to die for his sin.”

21-22 The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the tribes of Israel:

    The God of Gods is God,
        The God of Gods is God!

22-23 “He knows and he’ll let Israel know if this is a rebellious betrayal of God. And if it is, don’t bother saving us. If we built ourselves an altar in rebellion against God, if we did it to present on it Whole-Burnt-Offerings or Grain-Offerings or to enact there sacrificial Peace-Offerings, let God decide.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message Bible, Dusty Rose Floral Large Print Leather-Look
The Message Bible, Dusty Rose Floral Large Print Leather-Look
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $44.99
Save: $15.00 (25%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message for Graduates
The Message for Graduates
Retail: $12.99
Our Price: $9.69
Save: $3.30 (25%)
The Message Gift and Award Bible, Softcover, Black
The Message Gift and Award Bible, Softcover, Black
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $6.99
Save: $1.00 (13%)
2.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message Raspberry Blossom, Personal Size + Topical Concordance
The Message Raspberry Blossom, Personal Size + Topical Concordance
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $26.00 (65%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message // REMIX 2.0, Soft Imitation Leather, Color Spectrum
The Message // REMIX 2.0, Soft Imitation Leather, Color Spectrum
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $15.99
Save: $24.00 (60%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars