[12] When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. [13] This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. [14] Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. [15] The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. [16] And thou shalt take money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.