The charge of unfaithfulness

15And they came to the sons of Reuben, and to the sons of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying,

16Thus says the whole congregation of Yahweh: ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel, turning away today from following Yahweh by building for yourselves an altar, rebelling today against Yahweh?’

17Was the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day, and the plague came upon the congregation of Yahweh?

18And you are turning away today from following Yahweh; and if you rebel today against Yahweh, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.

19But if the land of your possession is unclean, cross over for yourselves into the land of Yahweh’s possession, where Yahweh’s tabernacle dwells, and take possession among us. Only do not rebel against Yahweh, or against us, by building for yourselves an altar besides the altar of Yahweh our God.

20Was it not Achan son of Zerah who acted unfaithfully in the matter of what was devoted to destruction, and wrath came upon all the congregation of Israel? Yet he was not the only man who perished in his iniquity.