1 Israel was staying in Shittim. The men of Israel began to commit sexual sins with the women of Moab.
2 The women invited the men to feasts and sacrifices in honor of their gods. The people ate and bowed down in front of the statues of those gods.
3 So Israel joined in worshiping the god Baal that was worshiped at Peor. The Lord's anger burned against Israel.
4 The Lord said to Moses, "Take all of the leaders of these people. Kill them. Put their dead bodies out in the open. I want to see you do it in the middle of the day. Then my anger will not burn against Israel."