[1] While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron chastised Moses for marrying a foreign woman-a Cushite (and it was true that he did indeed marry such an African). [2] Miriam and Aaron: Has the Eternal One spoken only through Moses? No, the Eternal has also spoken through us. Now, the Eternal One heard this. [3] For his part, Moses was a uniquely humble fellow, more humble than anyone in the entire world. [4] All of a sudden, the Eternal called the three siblings together. Eternal One: Come here, you three-Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Join Me at the congregation tent. They did. [5] The Eternal One descended in a cloud-column, stood at the tent opening, and summoned just Aaron and Miriam. They came forward. [6] Eternal One: Listen to Me. When there are prophets in your midst, I, the Eternal One, will show Myself to them in visions, and will sound My voice in their dreams. [7] It's different with My servant, Moses. I have entrusted him above anyone else in My whole house, [8] and with him I communicate face-to-face. We speak directly and without riddles. He can even see the very form of the Eternal. So why aren't you nervous about criticizing My servant, Moses? [9] The Eternal left, quite angry with Miriam and Aaron. [10] When the cloud lifted from the congregation tent, you could see that Miriam had been stricken with a disfiguring skin condition. Her skin looked white, like snow. Aaron looked at her, saw this, [11] and immediately turned to Moses. Aaron: Please, Moses, my lord, don't punish us for this offense that we so stupidly committed. [12] Don't leave her in this partial death-like a stillborn baby whose flesh is already half-rotted away! [13] Moses (pleading to the Lord): O, God, I ask You to please heal her! [14] Eternal One (to Moses): If her father had been angry with her and made it obvious by, say, spitting in her face, wouldn't she have to bear her shame for a week? Just so, you must ostracize her from the camp for seven days. After that, she can rejoin the community. [15] So Miriam was shut out of the community for seven days, which also meant that the whole group didn't travel until Miriam was brought back in, [16] and they set out again. They journeyed from Hazeroth into the Paran Wilderness and set up camp there.
