Instructions about the red cow and the water of purification
1 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron:
2
This is the regulation in the Instruction that the LORD commanded. Tell the Israelites that they must bring you a red cow without defect, which is flawless and on which no yoke has been laid.
3
You will give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will take it outside the camp and slaughter it in front of him.
4
Eleazar the priest will take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times in front of the meeting tent.
5
Then he will burn the cow in front of him, its skin, flesh, and blood, with its dung.
6
The priest will take cedarwood, hyssop, and crimson cloth and throw them into the fire where the cow is burning.
7
Then the priest will wash his clothes and bathe his body in water. Afterward the priest will enter the camp, but he will be unclean until evening.
8
The one who burned the cow will wash his clothes in water and bathe his body in water, but he will be unclean until evening.
9
A person who is clean will gather the ashes of the cow and place them outside the camp in a clean place. They will be kept for the water of purification for the Israelite community as a purification offering.
10
The one who gathers the ashes of the cow will wash his clothes but will be unclean until evening. This will be a permanent regulation for the Israelites and for the immigrant who lives among them.