Chapter 17
1 The LORD spoke to Moses , saying ,
2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and take rods from them , one for each fathers’ house, of all their princes according to their fathers’ houses, twelve rods. Write each man ’s name on his rod.
3 You shall write Aaron’s name on Levi’s rod. There shall be one rod for each head of their fathers’ houses.
4 You shall lay them up in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you .
5 It shall happen that the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall bud. I will make the murmurings of the children of Israel , which they murmur against you , cease from me ."
6 Moses spoke to the children of Israel ; and all their princes gave him rods, for each prince one , according to their fathers’ houses, a total of twelve rods. Aaron’s rod was amongst their rods.
7 Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.
8 On the next day , Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony; and behold, Aaron’s rod for the house of Levi had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.
9 Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD to all the children of Israel. They looked , and each man took his rod.
10 The LORD said to Moses, " Put back the rod of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that you may make an end of their complaining against me , that they not die ."
11 Moses did so . As the LORD commanded him , so he did .
12 The children of Israel spoke to Moses , saying , " Behold , we perish! We are undone! We are all undone!
13 Everyone who keeps approaching the LORD ’s tabernacle, dies ! Will we all perish?"