Numbers 19:1-10

Common English Bible

Instructions about the red cow and the water of purification

19 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: ² This is the regulation in the Instruction that the Lord commanded. Tell the Israelites that they must bring you a red cow without defect, which is flawless and on which no yoke has been laid. ³ You will give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will take it outside the camp and slaughter it in front of him. ⁴ Eleazar the priest will take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times in front of the meeting tent. ⁵ Then he will burn the cow in front of him, its skin, flesh, and blood, with its dung. ⁶ The priest will take cedarwood, hyssop, and crimson cloth and throw them into the fire where the cow is burning. ⁷ Then the priest will wash his clothes and bathe his body in water. Afterward the priest will enter the camp, but he will be unclean until evening. ⁸ The one who burned the cow will wash his clothes in water and bathe his body in water, but he will be unclean until evening. ⁹ A person who is clean will gather the ashes of the cow and place them outside the camp in a clean place. They will be kept for the water of purification for the Israelite community as a purification offering. ¹⁰ The one who gathers the ashes of the cow will wash his clothes but will be unclean until evening. This will be a permanent regulation for the Israelites and for the immigrant who lives among them.