¹⁶ They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table^(A) to minister before me and serve me as guards.^(B)

²² There was a wooden altar^(A) three cubits^[a] high and two cubits square^[b]; its corners, its base^[c] and its sides were of wood. The man said to me, “This is the table^(B) that is before the Lord.”

¹² “But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table^(A) is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food^(B) is contemptible.’

⁷ “By offering defiled food^(A) on my altar.

“But you ask,^(B) ‘How have we defiled you?’

“By saying that the Lord’s table^(C) is contemptible.

⁷ But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain.^(A) I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift.^(B) Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.^(C)”

Offerings for Priests and Levites

⁸ Then the Lord said to Aaron, “I myself have put you in charge of the offerings presented to me; all the holy offerings the Israelites give me I give to you and your sons as your portion,^(D) your perpetual share.^(E)

⁸ About Levi^(A) he said:

⁵ “You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar,^(A) so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelites again.

⁶ and has made us to be a kingdom and priests^(A) to serve his God and Father^(B)—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.^(C)