²⁴ Thus Moses spoke to Aaron and to his sons and to all the Israelites.

² and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.^(A)

¹⁸ This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,^(A)

¹⁷ And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”^(A)

2 And now, O priests, this command is for you. ² If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings; indeed, I have already cursed them^[a] because you do not lay it to heart.^{(A) 3} I will rebuke your offspring and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and I will put you out of my presence.^[b]

⁴ Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the Lord of hosts.^{(B) 5} My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.^{(C) 6} True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.^{(D) 7} For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.^(E)