⁹ But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites,^(A) because they were to carry on their shoulders^(B) the holy things, for which they were responsible.

²¹ Then the Kohathites^(A) set out, carrying the holy things.^(B) The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.^(C)

Public Reading of the Law

⁹ So Moses wrote^(A) down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried^(B) the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel.

¹⁰ Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over,

¹³ When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed^(A) a bull and a fattened calf.

² Then David said, “No one but the Levites^(A) may carry^(B) the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister^(C) before him forever.”

¹⁵ And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded^(A) in accordance with the word of the Lord.^(B)