³ They are to be responsible to you^(A) and are to perform all the duties of the tent,^(B) but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar. Otherwise both they and you will die.^(C)

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,^(A) only then are the Kohathites^(B) to come and do the carrying.^(C) But they must not touch the holy things^(D) or they will die.^(E) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

⁴⁰ as the Lord directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense^(A) before the Lord,^(B) or he would become like Korah and his followers.^(C)

¹⁹ So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things,^(A) do this for them: Aaron and his sons^(B) are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.^{(C) 20} But the Kohathites must not go in to look^(D) at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

³⁶ The Merarites were appointed^(A) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,^(B) its crossbars,^(C) posts,^(D) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,^(E)

³¹ They were responsible for the care of the ark,^(A) the table,^(B) the lampstand,^(C) the altars,^(D) the articles^(E) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,^(F) and everything related to their use.^(G)

²⁵ At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle^(A) and tent, its coverings,^(B) the curtain at the entrance^(C) to the tent of meeting,^(D)

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)”

⁵¹ Whenever the tabernacle^(A) is to move,^(B) the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it.^(C) Anyone else who approaches it is to be put to death.^(D)