KORAH INCITES REBELLION

16 Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi,o with Dathan and Abiram,p sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took 2 two hundred fifty prominent Israelite men who were leaders of the community and representatives in the assembly, and they rebelled against Moses. 3 They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the Lord is among them.a Why then do you exalt yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”

4 When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. 5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will reveal who belongs to him, who is set apart, and the one he will let come nearb him. He will let the one he choosesc come near him. 6 Korah, you and all your followers are to do this: take firepans,d and tomorrow 7 place fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord.e Then the man the Lord chooses will be the one who is set apart.f It is you Levites who have gone too far!”

8 Moses also told Korah, “Now listen, Levites! 9 Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to himself,g to perform the work at the Lord’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them?h 10 He has brought you near, and all your fellow Levites who are with you, but you are pursuing the priesthoodi as well.