At that moment a violent earthquake took place, a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,
For consider how much diligence this very thing #– #this grieving as God wills #– #has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure in this matter.
Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.’ Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Now while I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell face down and cried out loudly, ‘Oh, Lord God! You are bringing the remnant of Israel to an end! ’
Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Armies says: Because you have spoken this word, I am going to make my words become fire in your mouth. These people are the wood, and the fire will consume them.
For the Lord our God burst out in anger against us because you Levites were not with us the first time, for we didn’t enquire of him about the proper procedures.’
He turned around, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the children.
Wasn’t Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath on the entire community of Israel? He was not the only one who perished because of his iniquity.” ’
Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Lord has spoken: I will demonstrate my holiness , to those who are near me, and I will reveal my glory , before all the people.’ And Aaron remained silent.
This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.