The Priests Begin Their Ministry

9 On the eighth day^(A) Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders^(B) of Israel. ² He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf for your sin offering^[a] and a ram for your burnt offering, both without defect, and present them before the Lord. ³ Then say to the Israelites: ‘Take a male goat^(C) for a sin offering,^(D) a calf^(E) and a lamb^(F)—both a year old and without defect—for a burnt offering, ⁴ and an ox^[b](G) and a ram for a fellowship offering^(H) to sacrifice before the Lord, together with a grain offering mixed with olive oil. For today the Lord will appear to you.^(I)’”

⁵ They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the Lord. ⁶ Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord^(J) may appear to you.”

²² Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them.^(A) And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.

²³ Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting.^(B) When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord^(C) appeared to all the people. ²⁴ Fire^(D) came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.^(E)

The Death of Nadab and Abihu

10 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu^(F) took their censers,^(G) put fire in them^(H) and added incense;^(I) and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord,^(J) contrary to his command.^{(K) 2} So fire came out^(L) from the presence of the Lord and consumed them,^(M) and they died before the Lord.^{(N) 3} Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:

Aaron remained silent.

⁴ Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan,^(R) sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel,^(S) and said to them, “Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp,^(T) away from the front of the sanctuary.^(U)” ⁵ So they came and carried them, still in their tunics,^(V) outside the camp, as Moses ordered.

⁶ Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar,^(W) “Do not let your hair become unkempt^[a](X) and do not tear your clothes,^(Y) or you will die and the Lord will be angry with the whole community.^(Z) But your relatives, all the Israelites, may mourn^(AA) for those the Lord has destroyed by fire. ⁷ Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting^(AB) or you will die, because the Lord’s anointing oil^(AC) is on you.” So they did as Moses said.

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,^(A) to offer gifts and sacrifices^(B) for sins.^{(C) 2} He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,^(D) since he himself is subject to weakness.^{(E) 3} This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.^{(F) 4} And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.^(G)

⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory^(H) of becoming a high priest.^(I) But God said^(J) to him,

⁶ And he says in another place,

⁷ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions^(N) with fervent cries and tears^(O) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard^(P) because of his reverent submission.^{(Q) 8} Son^(R) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered^{(S) 9} and, once made perfect,^(T) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest^(U) in the order of Melchizedek.^(V)