¹² The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you?^(A)

¹⁴ then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly.^(A) And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you,^(B)

¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^(A)

Dealing With Sin in the Church

¹⁵ “If your brother or sister^[a] sins,^[b] go and point out their fault,^(A) just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’^{[c](B) 17} If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;^(C) and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.^(D)

¹⁸ “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be^[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[e] loosed in heaven.^(E)

¹³ So the Israelites sent Phinehas^(A) son of Eleazar,^(B) the priest, to the land of Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. ¹⁴ With him they sent ten of the chief men, one from each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans.^(C)

¹⁵ When they went to Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh—they said to them: ¹⁶ “The whole assembly of the Lord says: ‘How could you break faith^(D) with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion^(E) against him now?

¹⁰ When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.^(A)