But allthe leaderssaidto the wholecongregation,"We have swornto them by the LORD,the Godof Israel,and nowwe cannottouchthem.
I say, "Keepthe commandof the kingbecauseof the oathbefore God.
It is the samefor all.There is onefatefor the righteousand for the wicked;for the good,for the cleanand for the unclean;for the man who offersa sacrificeand for the one whodoes not sacrifice.As the goodmanis, so is the sinner;as the sweareris, so is the one who is afraidto swear.
And you will swear,'As the LORDlives,'In truth,in justiceand in righteousness;Then the nationswill blessthemselves in Him, And in Him they will glory."
The sonsof Israeldid not strikethem becausethe leadersof the congregationhad swornto them by the LORDthe Godof Israel.And the wholecongregationgrumbledagainstthe leaders.
"Thiswe will doto them, even let them live,sothat wrathwill not be upon us for the oathwhichwe sworeto them."
