For war nor weapon had no power to harm them. And fonde to wenden ðuſ here ðhogt, for wi ne wopen ne helpeð[386] nogt." forð-nam balaam, ðat ille q_u_[e]ad ðe gaf ðiſ read of ſoules dead. 4064 This counsel was followed, ðuſ it was don, and bi ðat ſel and thus it fell that Israel sinned in Shittim, In ſichin ſingede iſrael, And for luue of ðiſ hore-plage Manie for-leten godes lage, 4068 And wrogten ðor ſwilc ſoules for and worshipped Baal-peor. ðat he ðor lutten belphegor. Ðo ſeide god to moyſen, "ðe me[i]ſtres of ðiſe hore-men, 4072 [384] gere? [385] MS. cumen. [386] MS. helped. WHOREDOM AND IDOLATRY PUNISHED. God commands the chief men to be hanged. ðe fendes folgen and me flen, ðe bidde ic hangen ðat he ben; Ben ðeſe hangen ðe ſunne agen, ðise oðer[387] folc ſal meðe ſen." 4076 Twenty-three thousand were slain. Godes wreche ðor haueð of-ſlagen xx.iii. ðuſent of dagen.[388] Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi finees waſ a ſeli man, ðe godes wreche forðen gan; 4080 He ſlug Zabri for godeſ luuen, Hiſe hore bi-neðe and hi_m_ abuuen; [Fol. 79b.] with his long and sharp pike. ðurg and ðurg boðen he ſtong wið hiſe giſarme ſarp & long. 4084 God moysen nemnen bead God commands Moses to take the sum of the people above twenty. Hiſ folc ðe was firmeſt fro dead, Or .xx. winter or more hold, ðe in egypte or ne weren told; 4088 It was found to be 601,720. On and .vi. hundred ðuſent ðor, And .vii. hundred and .xx. mor Moyſes fond and eliazar; Was non of he_m_ told in tale or, 4092 Of those who were numbered at Sinai, all died except Joshua and Caleb.