¹¹ “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests^(A) what the law says:

⁷ “For the lips of a priest^(A) ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger^(B) of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.^(C)

¹⁰ so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean,^{(A) 11} and so you can teach^(B) the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.^(C)”

⁹ He must hold firmly^(A) to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine^(B) and refute those who oppose it.

²³ They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common^(A) and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.^(B)

²⁴ “‘In any dispute, the priests are to serve as judges^(C) and decide it according to my ordinances. They are to keep my laws and my decrees for all my appointed festivals,^(D) and they are to keep my Sabbaths holy.^(E)

Law Courts

⁸ If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge^(A)—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults^(B)—take them to the place the Lord your God will choose.^{(C) 9} Go to the Levitical^(D) priests and to the judge^(E) who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.^{(F) 10} You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the Lord will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do. ¹¹ Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.^(G)