The Gatekeepers

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers:^(A)

¹² These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering^(E) in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had. ¹³ Lots^(F) were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

¹⁴ The lot for the East Gate^(G) fell to Shelemiah.^[a] Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah,^(H) a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. ¹⁵ The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom,^(I) and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. ¹⁶ The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.

Guard was alongside of guard: ¹⁷ There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. ¹⁸ As for the court^[b] to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court^[c] itself.

¹⁹ These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.^(J)

The Treasurers and Other Officials

²⁰ Their fellow Levites^(K) were^[d] in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.^(L)

²¹ The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite,^(M) were Jehieli, ²² the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries^(N) of the temple of the Lord.

²³ From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites:^(O)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(A) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(B) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(C) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(D) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(E) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(F) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(G) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(H) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(I) 3} For you died,^(J) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life,^(K) appears,^(L) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(M)

⁵ Put to death,^(N) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(O) sexual immorality,^(P) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(Q) which is idolatry.^{(R) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(S) is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(T) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(U) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(V) and filthy language from your lips.^{(W) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(X) since you have taken off your old self^(Y) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(Z) which is being renewed^(AA) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(AB) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(AC) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(AD) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(AE) but Christ is all,^(AF) and is in all.