^{25 Ref} Talking against him secretly in their tents, they did not give ear to the voice of the Lord.

^{26 Ref} So he made an oath against them, to put an end to them in the waste land:

^{27 Ref} That their children might be mixed among the nations, and sent away into other lands.

^{28 Ref} And they were joined to Baal-peor, and took part in the offerings to the dead.

^{29 Ref} So they made him angry by their behaviour; and he sent disease on them.

^{30 Ref} Then Phinehas got up, and made prayer for them; and the disease went no farther.

^{31 Ref} And all the generations coming after him kept the memory of his righteousness for ever.

^{32 Ref} They made God angry again at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled because of them;

^{33 Ref} For they made his spirit bitter, and he said unwise things.

^{34 Ref} They did not put an end to the peoples, as the Lord had said;

^{35 Ref} But they were joined to the nations, learning their works.

^{36 Ref} And they gave worship to images; which were a danger to them:

^{37 Ref} They even made offerings of their sons and their daughters to evil spirits,

^{38 Ref} And gave the blood of their sons and their daughters who had done no wrong, offering them to the images of Canaan; and the land was made unclean with blood.

^{39 Ref} So they became unclean through their works, going after their evil desires.

^{40 Ref} Then the wrath of the Lord was burning against his people, and he was angry with his heritage.

^{41 Ref} And he gave them into the hands of the nations; and they were ruled by their haters.

^{42 Ref} By them they were crushed, and made low under their hands.

^{43 Ref} Again and again he made them free; but their hearts were turned against his purpose, and they were overcome by their sins.

^{44 Ref} But when their cry came to his ears, he had pity on their trouble:

^{45 Ref} And kept in mind his agreement with them, and in his great mercy gave them forgiveness.

^{46 Ref} He put pity into the hearts of those who made them prisoners.

^{47 Ref} Be our saviour, O Lord our God, and let us come back together from among the nations, so that we may give honour to your holy name, and have glory in your praise.

^{48 Ref} Praise be to the Lord God of Israel for ever and for ever; and let all the people say, So be it. Give praise to the Lord.