bid us
offer a whole burnt-offering, and in what cases the law permits us
to partake of them as of food. And when Moses had sprinkled Aaron's
vestments, himself, and his sons, with the blood of the beasts that
were slain, and had purified them with spring waters and ointment, they
became God's priests. After this manner did he consecrate them and their
garments for seven days together. The same he did to the tabernacle, and
the vessels thereto belonging, both with oil first incensed, as I said,
and with the blood of bulls and of rams, slain day by day one, according
to its kind. But on the eighth day he appointed a feast for the people,
and commanded them to offer sacrifice according to their ability.
Accordingly they contended one with another, and were ambitious to
exceed each other in the sacrifices which they brought, and so fulfilled
Moses's injunctions. But as the sacrifices lay upon the altar, a sudden
fire was kindled from among them of its own accord, and appeared to the
sight like fire from a flash of lightning, and consumed whatsoever was
upon the altar.

7. Hereupon an affliction befell Aaron, considered as a man and a
father, but was undergone by him with true fortitude; for he had indeed
a firmness of soul in such accidents, and he thought this calamity came
upon him according to God's will: for whereas he had four sons, as I
said before, the two elder of them, Nadab and Abihu, did not bring those
sacrifices which Moses bade them bring, but which they used to offer
formerly, and were burnt to death. Now when the fire rushed upon them,
and began to burn them, nobody could quench it. Accordingly they died
in this manner. And Moses bid their father and their brethren to take
up their bodies, to carry them out of the camp, and to bury them
magnificently. Now the multitude lamented them, and were deeply affected
at this their death, which so unexpectedly befell them. But Moses
entreated their brethren and their father not to be troubled for them,
and to prefer the honor of God before their grief about them; for Aaron
had already put on his sacred garments.

8. But Moses refused all that honor which he saw the multitude ready to
bestow upon him, and attended to nothing else but the service of God.
He went no more up to Mount Sinai; but he went into the tabernacle, and
brought back answers from God for what he prayed for. His habit was also
that of a private man, and in all other circumstances he behaved himself