24 (A)These were the sons of Levi by their fathers' houses, the heads of fathers' houses (B)as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from (C)twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 25 For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, (D)has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 And so the Levites no longer need (E)to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.” 27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from (F)twenty years old and upward. 28 For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God. 29 Their duty was also to assist with the (G)showbread, the (H)flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the (I)baked offering, the (J)offering mixed with oil, and all (K)measures of quantity or size. 30 And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, 31 and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord (L)on Sabbaths, (M)new moons, and feast days, (N)according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord. 32 Thus (O)they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the (P)service of the house of the Lord.

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24 These were the descendants of Levi according to their ancestral households, with family heads documented according to the names of persons 20 years and older who were appointed to perform work in service to the Temple of the Lord.

25 For David had said “The Lord God of Israel has granted rest to his people, and he has taken Israel as his eternal residence. 26 Therefore[a] the descendants of Levi are no longer to carry the Tent or its service implements.”[b] 27 Since, according to David’s final instructions, the list above[c] contains the total number of descendants of Levi from the age of 20 years and upward, 28 David issued these orders:[d]

“Instead, they are to assist by lending a hand to the descendants of Aaron regarding service to the Temple of the Lord relating to the courts, the chambers, purification of everything pertaining to holiness, and to anything else pertaining to service on behalf of the Temple of God, 29 including assisting with the rows of showbread, selecting flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened bread, baked offerings, and oil-based offerings, no matter what the quantity or sizes. 30 They are to take their stand morning by morning, thanking and praising the Lord right through until the evening, 31 whenever burnt offerings are presented to the Lord, whether on Sabbaths, New Moons, or scheduled festivals, regularly in the Lord’s presence in accordance with the number required to conduct their service. 32 By doing this, they will fulfill their obligation as trustees over the Tent of Assembly and the Sanctuary, attending to the needs of[e] their relatives, who are descendants of Aaron, in keeping with their service on behalf of the Temple of the Lord.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 23:26 Lit. Also
  2. 1 Chronicles 23:26 The quotation possibly concludes at the end of vs. 25.
  3. 1 Chronicles 23:27 The Heb. lacks above
  4. 1 Chronicles 23:28 The Heb. lacks David issued these orders
  5. 1 Chronicles 23:32 The Heb. lacks to the needs of