Numbers 4:11-29

New International Version

¹¹“Over the gold altar^(A) they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles^(B) in place.

¹²“They are to take all the articles^(C) used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.^(D)

¹³“They are to remove the ashes^(E) from the bronze altar^(F) and spread a purple cloth over it. ¹⁴Then they are to place on it all the utensils^(G) used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans,^(H) meat forks,^(I) shovels^(J) and sprinkling bowls.^(K) Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles^(L) in place.

¹⁵“After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,^(M) only then are the Kohathites^(N) to come and do the carrying.^(O) But they must not touch the holy things^(P) or they will die.^(Q) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

¹⁶“Eleazar^(R) son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light,^(S) the fragrant incense,^(T) the regular grain offering^(U) and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

¹⁷The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ¹⁸“See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites. ¹⁹So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things,^(V) do this for them: Aaron and his sons^(W) are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.^(X) ²⁰But the Kohathites must not go in to look^(Y) at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Gershonites

²¹The Lord said to Moses, ²²“Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. ²³Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age^(Z) who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

²⁴“This is the service of the Gershonite clans in their carrying and their other work: ²⁵They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle,^(AA) that is, the tent of meeting,^(AB) its covering^(AC) and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, ²⁶the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,^(AD) the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard,^(AE) the ropes and all the equipment^(AF) used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. ²⁷All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons.^(AG) You shall assign to them as their responsibility^(AH) all they are to carry. ²⁸This is the service of the Gershonite clans^(AI) at the tent of meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar^(AJ) son of Aaron, the priest.