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)

¹² He is to take a censer full of burning coals^(A) from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense^(B) and take them behind the curtain.

³² See that you do all I command you; do not add^(A) to it or take away from it.^[a]

⁴⁶ Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer^(A) and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly^(B) to make atonement^(C) for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord;^(D) the plague^(E) has started.”

The Covenant Confirmed

24 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron,^(A) Nadab and Abihu,^(B) and seventy of the elders^(C) of Israel. You are to worship at a distance,

⁹ “‘The priests are to perform my service^(A) in such a way that they do not become guilty^(B) and die^(C) for treating it with contempt. I am the Lord, who makes them holy.^(D)