47. Moses chose one out of every 50 people and animals. He gave them to the Levites. They were accountable for taking care of the Lord's holy tent. Moses did just as the Lord had commanded him.
48. Then the army officers went to Moses. Some of them were the commanders of thousands of men. Others were the commanders of hundreds.
49. All of them said to Moses, "We have counted the soldiers under our command. Not a single one is missing.
50. "So we've brought an offering to the Lord. We've brought the gold articles each of us took in the battle. We've also brought armbands, bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces. We've brought them to pay for our sin in the sight of the Lord."
51. Moses and the priest Eleazar accepted the beautiful gold articles from the army officers.
52. The gold that was received from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds weighed 420 pounds. Moses and Eleazar offered all of it as a gift to the Lord.
53. Each soldier had taken things from the battle for himself.