[1] The LORD told Moses: [2] Call together the twelve tribes of Israel and tell the leader of each tribe to write his name on the walking stick he carries as a symbol of his authority. Make sure Aaron's name is written on the one from the Levi tribe, then collect all the sticks. [4] Place these sticks in the tent right in front of the sacred chest where I appear to you. [5] I will then choose a man to be my priest, and his stick will sprout. After that happens, I won't have to listen to any more complaints about you. [6] Moses told the people what the LORD had commanded, and they gave him the walking sticks from the twelve tribal leaders, including Aaron's from the Levi tribe. [7] Moses took them and placed them in the LORD's sacred tent. [8] The next day when Moses went into the tent, flowers and almonds were already growing on Aaron's stick. [9] Moses brought the twelve sticks out of the tent and showed them to the people. Each of the leaders found his own and took it. [10] But the LORD told Moses, "Put Aaron's stick back! Let it stay near the sacred chest as a warning to anyone who might think about rebelling. If these people don't stop their grumbling about me, I will wipe them out." [11] Moses did what he was told. [12] The Israelites cried out to Moses, "We're done for [13] and doomed if we even get near the sacred tent!"
