²⁶ After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by serving as guards at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service. This is how you must assign duties to the Levites.”

⁵³ But the Levites will camp around the Tabernacle of the Covenant to protect the community of Israel from the Lord’s anger. The Levites are responsible to stand guard around the Tabernacle.”

¹⁵ Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

¹¹ They may still be Temple guards and gatekeepers, and they may slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people.

⁸ Instead of safeguarding my sacred rituals, you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary.

Treasurers and Other Officials

²⁰ Other Levites, led by Ahijah, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the gifts dedicated to the Lord. ²¹ From the family of Libni^[a] in the clan of Gershon, Jehiel^[b] was the leader. ²² The sons of Jehiel, Zetham and his brother Joel, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the Lord.

²³ These are the leaders that descended from Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel:

²⁴ From the clan of Amram, Shebuel was a descendant of Gershom son of Moses. He was the chief officer of the treasuries. ²⁵ His relatives through Eliezer were Rehabiah, Jeshaiah, Joram, Zicri, and Shelomoth.

²⁹ From the clan of Izhar came Kenaniah. He and his sons were given administrative responsibilities^[e] over Israel as officials and judges.

³² And so, under the supervision of the priests, the Levites watched over the Tabernacle and the Temple^[a] and faithfully carried out their duties of service at the house of the Lord.

³⁰ From the half that belongs to the people of Israel, take one of every fifty of the prisoners and of the cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and other animals. Give this share to the Levites, who are in charge of maintaining the Lord’s Tabernacle.”

⁴ The Levites must join you in fulfilling their responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle,^[a] but no unauthorized person may assist you.

³² Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, was the chief administrator over all the Levites, with special responsibility for the oversight of the sanctuary.