Catholic Public Domain Version

Numbers 31:12-19 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

12. And they led these to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to all the multitude of the sons of Israel. But the remainder of the articles they carried to the camp on the plains of Moab, next to the Jordan, opposite Jericho.

13. Then Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the assembly went out to meet them beyond the camp.

14. And Moses, being angry with the leaders of the army, and the tribunes, and the centurions, who had arrived from the battle,

15. said: "Why have you spared the females?

16. Are not these the ones who deceived the sons of Israel at the suggestion of Balaam, and who caused you betray the Lord by the sin of Peor, because of which the people also were struck down?

17. Therefore, put to death all of them: whatever is of the male sex, even among the little ones, and cut the throats of those women who have known men by sexual relations.

18. But the young girls, and all female virgins, reserve for yourselves.

19. And remain beyond the camp for seven days. Whoever has killed a man, or who has touched one that was killed, shall be purified on the third day and on the seventh day.