Exodus 32
1 ଲୋକମାନେ ଅନୁଭବ କଲେ ଯେ, ମାଶାେ ପର୍ବତ ଉପରୁ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଆସିବାକୁ ଡରେି କଲେ। ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ହାରୋଣଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ରୁଣ୍ଡ ହେଲେ। ସମାନେେ ତାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ଦେଖ, ମାଶାେ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ମିଶର ଦେଶରୁ ବାହାର କରି ଆଣିଲେ କିନ୍ତୁ ଆମ୍ଭେ ଜାଣିପାରିଲୁ ନାହିଁ ତାଙ୍କର କ'ଣ ହାଇେଛି। ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଗଇେ ନବୋ ପାଇଁ କେତକେ ଦବେତାଗଣ ନିର୍ମାଣ କର।
2 ହାରୋଣ ସହେି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ, ପୁତ୍ରକନ୍ଯାମାନଙ୍କର କର୍ଣ୍ଣ କୁଣ୍ଡଳ ମାେ ପାଖକୁ ଆଣ।
3 ତେଣୁ ଲୋକମାନେ ସହେି କର୍ଣ୍ଣକୁଣ୍ଡଳ ଗୁଡିକୁ ସଂଗ୍ରହ କରି ହାରୋଣଙ୍କୁ ଦେଲେ।
4 ହାରୋଣ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଗ୍ରହଣ କଲେ। ତା'ପରେ ହାରୋଣ ସେଥିରୁ ଏକ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣର ଶିଳ୍ପାସ୍ତ୍ର ରେ ଛାଞ୍ଚ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରି ସେଥି ରେ ଢଳା ବାଛୁରୀ ନିର୍ମାଣ କଲେ।
5 ହାରୋଣ ଏହି ସମସ୍ତ ଦେଖିଲେ, ତେଣୁ ହାରୋଣ ଏହାର ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ଏକ ବଦେୀ ତିଆରି କଲେ। ଏହାପରେ ହାରୋଣ ସଠାେରେ ଏକ ଘାଷେଣା କଲେ। ସେ କହିଲେ ଆସନ୍ତା କାଲି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମାନାର୍ଥେ ଏକ ଭୋଜି ହବେ।
6 ତା'ପରଦିନ ଅତି ପ୍ରଭାତରୁ ଲୋକମାନେ ଉଠିଲେ। ସମାନେେ ହାମବେଳି ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କଲେ ଓ ମଙ୍ଗଳାର୍ଥକ ନବୈେଦ୍ଯ ଆଣିଲେ। ଏହାପରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ଭୋଜନପାନ କରିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ଏହାପରେ ଲୀଳା କରିବାକୁ ଉଠିଲେ।
7 ସହେି ସମୟରେ, ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ମାଶାଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଏହି ପର୍ବତରୁ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ୟାଅ। ତୁମ୍ଭର ଲୋକମାନେ, ଯେଉଁ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ମିଶରରୁ ବାହାର କରି ଆଣିଥିଲ, ସମାନେେ ଘାରେ ପାପ କରିଛନ୍ତି।
8 ସମାନେେ ଖୁବ୍ ଶୀଘ୍ର ମୁଁ ଶିକ୍ଷା ଦଇେଥିବା ପଥରୁ ବିମୁଖ ହେଲେ। ସମାନେେ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣର ଏକ ବାଛୁରୀ ନିର୍ମାଣ କଲେ। ସମାନେେ ସହେି ମୂର୍ତ୍ତିକୁ ଉପାସନା କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ତା'ର ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ବଳିଦାନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ସମାନେେ କହନ୍ତି, 'ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ, ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ମିଶର ଦେଶରୁ ଯେଉଁ ଦବେତା ବାହାର କରି ଆଣିଲେ, ସଗେୁଡିକ ଏହି।'
9 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ମାଶାଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ମୁଁ ଏହି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖିଛି। ସମାନେେ ଅତିଶଯ ଜିଦ୍ଖୋର
10 ତେଣୁ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ମାେତେ ବିରକ୍ତ କର ନାହିଁ, ଯେଉଁଥିପାଇଁ ମୁଁ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ମାରେ କୋର୍ଧ ରେ ଧ୍ବଂସ କରିବି। ଏହାପରେ ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭଠାରୁ ଏକ ମହାନ ଜାତି ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିବି।
11 କିନ୍ତୁ ମାଶାେ ତା'ର ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କୁ ଭିକ୍ଷା ମାଗିଲେ, ହେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ, ତୁମ୍ଭର କୋରଧ ରେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କର ନାହିଁ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଆପଣା ଶକ୍ତି ବଳର ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ମିଶରରୁ ବାହାର କରି ଆଣିଥିଲ।
12 କିନ୍ତୁ ଯଦି ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଆପଣା ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କର, ତାହାହେଲେ ମିଶରୀଯମାନେ କହିବେ, 'ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତାଙ୍କର କ୍ଷତି କରିବାକୁ ଯୋଜନା କରିଥିଲେ। ସହେି କାରଣରୁ ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ମିଶରରୁ ବାହାର କରି ସହେି ପର୍ବତଗୁଡିକରେ ମାରି ପୃଥିବୀରୁ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ଉଚ୍ଛିନ୍ନ କରିବାକୁ ଯୋଜନା କରିଥିଲେ।' ତେଣୁ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ଉପରେ କୋର୍ଧ ହୁଅ ନାହିଁ। ଦୟାକରି ତୁମ୍ଭର ମନ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ କର। ଦୟାଳୁ ହୁଅ ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କର ନାହିଁ।
13 ମନରେଖ, ଅବ୍ରହାମ, ଇସ୍ହାକ ଏବଂ ଯାକୁବ, ତୁମ୍ଭର ସବେକଗଣ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ନିଜେ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା କରିଅଛ, 'ଆକାଶ ରେ ଥିବା ତାରାମାନଙ୍କ ପରି ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ବଂଶ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ହବେ ଏବଂ ମୁଁ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା କରିଥିବା ଭୂମି ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦବେି। ସହେି ଭୂମି ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ଅନନ୍ତକାଳ ହବେ।'
14 ତେଣୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତାଙ୍କର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କରିବାରୁ ମନ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ କଲେ।
15 ଏହାପରେ ମାଶାେ ବୁଲି ପଡିଲେ ଓ ପର୍ବତର ତଳକୁ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଗଲେ। ମାଶାଙ୍କେ ହାତ ରେ ଚୁକ୍ତି ଲଖାେ ୟାଇଥିବା ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଫଳକ ଥିଲା। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କର ଆଜ୍ଞା ଏହା ପଛପଟେ ଓ ଆଗ ପଟେ ଲଖାେ ହାଇେଥିଲା।
16 ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ଦ୍ବାରା ସହେି ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଫଳକ ନିର୍ମିତ ହାଇେଥିଲା ଏବଂ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ସ୍ବହସ୍ତ ରେ ଲେଖିଥିଲେ।
17 ୟିହୋଶୂଯ ସହେି ଭୋଜିର ପାଟି ଶୁଣିଲେ। ଯିହାଶୂେୟ ମାଶାଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ଛାଉଣୀ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧର ଶବ୍ଦପରି ଏହା ଶୁଭୁଛି।
18 ମାଶାେ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ, ଏହା ସୈନ୍ଯମାନଙ୍କର ଜଯଧ୍ବନିର ଶବ୍ଦ ନୁହେଁ। କିମ୍ବା ପରାଜଯର ଶବ୍ଦ ମଧ୍ଯ ନୁହେଁ। ମୁଁ ଗାଯନର ଶବ୍ଦ ଶୁଣି ପାରୁଛି।
19 ମାଶାେ ଛାଉଣୀର ନିକଟକୁ ଆସିଲେ। ସେ ସହେି ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣର ବାଛୁରୀ ଦେଖିଲେ ଏବଂ ସେ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ନାଚୁଥିବାର ଦେଖିଲେ। ମାଶାେ ରାଗିଗଲେ। ସେ ରାଗ ରେ ସହେି ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଫଳକକୁ ପର୍ବତ ତଳେ ଫିଙ୍ଗି ଚୁନା କରି ଦେଲେ।
20 ଏହାପରେ ମାଶାେ ସମାନେେ ତିଆରି କରିଥିବା ବାଛୁରୀକୁ ନଇଗେଲେ ଏବଂ ସେ ଏହାକୁ ନିଆଁ ରେ ତରଳାଇ ଦେଲେ। ଏହାପରେ ସେ ପଷେି ଦେଲେ ଏବଂ ତାକୁ ପାଣି ରେ ମିଶାଇ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ସହେି ପାଣି ପାଆଇଲେ।
21 ମାଶାେ ହାରୋଣଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ଏ ଲୋକମାନେ ତୁମ୍ଭ ପାଇଁ କ'ଣ କଲେ? କାହିଁକି ତୁମ୍ଭେ ତାକୁ ଏପରି ପାପ କରିବାକୁ ଆଗଇେ ନଲେ?
22 ହାରୋଣ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ, କୋର୍ଧ ହୁଅ ନାହିଁ ମହାଶୟ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଜାଣ ଏହି ଲୋକମାନେ ସର୍ବଦା ଭୂଲ କରନ୍ତି।
23 ଲୋକମାନେ ମାେତେ କହିଲେ, ' ମାଶାେ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ମିଶରରୁ ବାହାର କରି ଆଣିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ତାଙ୍କର କ'ଣ ହେଲା ତାହା ଆମ୍ଭେ ଜାଣୁ ନାହିଁ। ତେଣୁ କିଛି ଦବଗେଣ ତିଆରି କର ଓ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଗଇେ ନିଅ।'
24 ତେଣୁ ମୁଁ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲି, 'ଯଦି ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ପାଖ ରେ କିଛି ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣର ଅଳଙ୍କାର ଅଛି, ତବେେ ମାେ ପାଖକୁ ଆଣ, ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ମାେତେ ତାଙ୍କର ସବୁ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଦେଲେ।' ମୁଁ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣକୁ ନିଆଁ ରେ ଫୋପାଡି ଦଲେି ଓ ଏହି ବାଛୁରୀ ତିଆରି କଲି।
25 ମାଶାେ ହୃଦ୍ ବୋଧ କଲେ ଯେ, ହାରୋଣ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ନିଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣ ବାହାର କରି ଦଇେଛନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ଶତୃମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ବାରା ହାସ୍ଯାସ୍ପଦ ହବୋକୁ ହବେ।
26 ତେଣୁ ମାଶାେ ଛାଉଣୀ ଦ୍ବାରା ଦେଶ ରେ ଛିଡା ହାଇେ କହିଲେ, ଯେଉଁ ଲୋକେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁସରଣ କରିବାକୁ ଚାହଁ ସମାନେେ ମାେ ପାଖକୁ ଆସ। ଏବଂ ଏଥି ରେ ଲବେୀ ବଂଶର ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକ ମାଶାଙ୍କେ ନିକଟକୁ ଦୌଡ଼ିଲେ।
27 ମାଶାେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ କହିବି ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ପରମେଶ୍ବର ଯାହା କହନ୍ତି, 'ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ଆପଣା ଜଙ୍ଘ ରେ ଖଡ୍ଗ ବାନ୍ଧି ଛାଉଣୀର ମଧ୍ଯ ଦଇେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଦ୍ବାରରୁ ଅନ୍ୟଦ୍ବାର ନିକଟକୁ ୟିବା ଆସିବା କର ଏବଂ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ଆପଣା ଭ୍ରାତା, ମିତ୍ର ଓ ପ୍ରତିବେଶୀକୁ ବଧକର।'
28 ତେଣୁ ମାଶାେ ଯେପରି କହିଲେ, ଲବେୀୟମାନେ ସହେିପରି କଲେ ଏବଂ ସହେିଦିନ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ରେ 3000 ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ହତ୍ଯା କରାଗଲା।
29 ଏହାପରେ ମାଶାେ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ନିଜନିଜ ପୁତ୍ର ଓ ଭାତୃଗଣର ବିପକ୍ଷ ହାଇେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ଯ ରେ ନିଜନିଜକୁ ନିୟୁକ୍ତି କର ତହିଁରେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଆଜି ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ କରିବେ।
30 ପରଦିନ ସକାଳେ ମାଶାେ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଭୟଙ୍କର ପାପ କରିଛ। କିନ୍ତୁ ପର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ମୁଁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟିବି ଏବଂ ହୁଏତ ତୁମ୍ଭର ପାପ ପାଇଁ ମୁଁ ପ୍ରାଯଶ୍ଚିତ କରିବାକୁ ସକ୍ଷମ ହବେି।
31 ତେଣୁ ମାଶାେ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଫରେିଗଲେ ଏବଂ କହିଲେ, ହେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ, ମାରେ ଗୁହାରି ଶୁଣ। ଏହି ଲୋକମାନେ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ରେ ଦବେତାଗଣ କରି ଭୟଙ୍କର ପାପ କରିଛନ୍ତି।
32 ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ପାପକୁ କ୍ଷମା କରିଦିଅ, ଯଦି ତୁମ୍ଭେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କ୍ଷମା ନକର ତବେେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଲେଖିଥିବା ଜୀବନ୍ତ ପୁସ୍ତକରୁ ମାରେ ନାମକୁ କାଟି ଦିଅ।
33 କିନ୍ତୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ମାଶାଙ୍କେୁ କହିଲେ, ଯେଉଁମାନେ ମାେ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ପାପ କରିଅଛନ୍ତି, ମୁଁ ମାରେ ଜୀବନ୍ତ ପୁସ୍ତକରୁ ତା'ର ନାମ କାଟି ଦବେି।
34 ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ମୁଁ ଯେଉଁ ଦେଶ ବିଷଯ ରେ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ କହୁଅଛି ସହେି ଦେଶକୁ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ନଇୟୋଅ। ଦେଖ, ମାରେସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ଆଗେ ଆଗେ ଗମନ କରିବ କିନ୍ତୁ ପାପୀମାନେ ଉଚିତ୍ ସମୟରେ ଦଣ୍ଡିତ ହବେେ।
35 ତେଣୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଭୟଙ୍କର ଅସୁସ୍ଥତା ଆଣିଲେ, ସେ ଏପରି କଲେ କାରଣ ଲୋକମାନେ ହାରୋଣଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବାଛୁରୀ ତିଆରି କରିବାକୁ କହିଥିଲେ।
1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord.
6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
7 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
9 And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
11 And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14 And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
23 For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
24 And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.
35 And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.
1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
5 And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.
7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
9 And the Lord spake unto Gad, David’s seer, saying,
10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee
12 Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.
14 So the Lord sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the Lord beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
18 Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the Lord.
20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.
22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
23 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.
24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
26 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the Lord; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27 And the Lord commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.
28 At that time when David saw that the Lord had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.
29 For the tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon.
30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the Lord.