Exodus 32:25-29 ▼

25 When Moses saw that the people were out of control—since Aaron had let them get out of control, something that incited ridicule from their enemies —

26 he stood in the gate of the camp and called out: |Whoever is for the LORD come over to me,| and all the sons of Levi gathered around him.

27 He told them, |This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'Every man put his sword on his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and each of you kill his brother and friend and neighbor.'|

28 The descendants of Levi did just as Moses told them, and about 3,000 people died that day.

29 Moses said, |You have been ordained to serve the LORD today, and you have brought a blessing on yourselves today because every man opposed his son or brother.|