Then Mosessaid,"Dedicateyourselvestodayto the LORD--for everymanhas been against his sonand against his brother--in order that He may bestowa blessingupon you today."
He also saidto the Leviteswho taughtallIsrael[and] who were holyto the LORD,"Putthe holyarkin the housewhichSolomonthe sonof Davidkingof Israelbuilt;it will be a burdenon [your] shouldersnolonger. Nowservethe LORDyour Godand His peopleIsrael.
So the sonsof Levididas Mosesinstructed,and about threethousandmenof the peoplefellthat day.
On the nextdayMosessaidto the people,"You yourselveshave committeda greatsin;and nowI am goingup to the LORD,perhapsI can makeatonementfor your sin."
To dorighteousnessand justiceIs desiredby the LORDmorethansacrifice.
"And ifanyonestillprophesies,then his fatherand motherwho gavebirthto him will sayto him, 'You shall not live,for you have spokenfalselyin the nameof the LORD;and his fatherand motherwho gavebirthto him will piercehim throughwhen he prophesies.
"He who lovesfatherormothermorethanMe is not worthyof Me; and he who lovessonordaughtermore thanMe is not worthyof Me.
