ISRAEL WORSHIPS BAAL

25 While Israel was staying in the Acacia Grove,A,c the people began to prostitute themselves with the women of Moab. 2 The women invited them to the sacrifices for their gods, and the people ate and bowed in worship to their gods.d 3 So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor,e and the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.f 4 The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and executeB them in broad daylight before the Lord so that his burning anger may turn away from Israel.”

5 So Moses told Israel’s judges, “Kill each of the men who aligned themselves with Baal of Peor.”

PHINEHAS INTERVENES

6 An Israelite man came bringing a Midianite woman to his relatives in the sight of Moses and the whole Israelite community while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting.