1. ISRAEL SETTLED down and remained in Shittim, and the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab,
2. Who invited the [Israelites] to the sacrifices of their gods, and [they] ate and bowed down to Moab's gods.
3. So Israel joined himself to [the god] Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.
4. And the Lord said to Moses, Take all the leaders or chiefs of the people, and hang them before the Lord in the sun [after killing them], that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.
5. And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Each one of you slay his men who joined themselves to Baal of Peor.
6. And behold, one of the Israelites came and brought to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and of all the congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the door of the Tent of Meeting [over the divine judgment and the punishment].
7. And when Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand