¹⁰ The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff^(A) in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious.^(B) This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.”

⁴ which had the golden altar of incense^(A) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.^(B) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,^(C) Aaron’s staff that had budded,^(D) and the stone tablets of the covenant.^(E)

⁶ Let no one deceive you^(A) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(B) comes on those who are disobedient.^(C)

A Rebellious Nation

³⁸ the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives.^(A) Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar,^(B) for they were presented before the Lord and have become holy. Let them be a sign^(C) to the Israelites.”

² in which you used to live^(A) when you followed the ways of this world^(B) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(C) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(D) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(E) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](F) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

²² But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.”