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"This is what the LORD's teachings have commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red cow that is perfect, with no defects. Also, it must never have worn a yoke.
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Give it to the priest Eleazar. It must be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence.
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The priest Eleazar will take some of the blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the tent of meeting.
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Then the entire cow (the skin, meat, blood, and excrement) will be burned while he watches.
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The priest will take some cedar wood, a hyssop sprig, and some red yarn and throw them onto the burning cow.
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The priest must then wash his clothes and his body. After that, he may go into the camp. But he will be unclean until evening.
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The person who burned the calf must also wash his clothes and his body. He, too, will be unclean until evening.
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"A man who is clean will collect the ashes from the cow and put them in a clean place outside the camp. They will be kept by the community of Israel and used in the water that takes away uncleanness. The cow is an offering for sin.
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The person who collected the ashes from the cow must also wash his clothes. He will be unclean until evening. This will be a permanent law for the Israelites and for the foreigners who live with them.
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"Whoever touches the dead body of any human being will be unclean for seven days.
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The unclean person must use this water on the third day and the seventh day to take away his sin. Then he will be clean. But if he doesn't use this water on the third day and the seventh day, he will not be clean.