Numbers 3:9-13

New International Version

⁹ Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons;^(A) they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.^{[a] 10} Appoint Aaron^(B) and his sons to serve as priests;^(C) anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”^(D)

¹¹ The Lord also said to Moses, ¹² “I have taken the Levites^(E) from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring^(F) of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine,^{(G) 13} for all the firstborn are mine.^(H) When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the Lord.”^(I)