be performed. But they answered the messenger, that they would
not obey his summons; nay, would not overlook Moses's behavior,
who was growing too great for them by evil practices. Now when
Moses heard of this their answer, he desired the heads of the
people to follow him, and he went to the faction of Dathan, not
thinking it any frightful thing at all to go to these insolent
people; so they made no opposition, but went along with him. But
Dathan, and his associates, when they understood that Moses and
the principal of the people were coming to them, came out, with
their wives and children, and stood before their tents, and
looked to see what Moses would do. They had also their servants
about them to defend themselves, in case Moses should use force
against them.

2. But he came near, and lifted up his hands to heaven, and cried
out with a loud voice, in order to be heard by the whole
multitude, and said, "O Lord of the creatures that are in the
heaven, in the earth, and in the sea; for thou art the most
authentic witness to what I have done, that it has all been done
by thy appointment, and that it was thou that affordedst us
assistance when we attempted any thing, and showedst mercy on the
Hebrews in all their distresses; do thou come now, and hear all
that I say, for no action or thought escapes thy knowledge; so
that thou wilt not disdain to speak what is true, for my
vindication, without any regard to the ungrateful imputations of
these men. As for what was done before I was born, thou knowest
best, as not learning them by report, but seeing them, and being
present with them when they were done; but for what has been done
of late, and which these men, although they know them well
enough, unjustly pretend to suspect, be thou my witness. When I