23. God wanted to destroy those people, but Moses, the leader he chose, stood in the way. God was very angry, but Moses begged him to stop, so God did not destroy the people.
24. But then they refused to go into the wonderful land of Canaan. They did not believe that God would help them defeat the people there.
25. Our ancestors complained in their tents and refused to obey the Lord.
26. So he swore that they would die in the desert.
27. He promised to scatter them among the nations and to let other people defeat their descendants.
28. At Baal Peor they joined in worshiping Baal and ate sacrifices to honor the dead.
29. The Lord became angry with his people, so he made them sick.
30. But Phinehas prayed to God, and God stopped the sickness.
31. He considered what Phinehas did a good work, and it will be remembered forever and ever.