Numbers 1:47-54

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁴⁷ The Levites, however, were not numbered by their ancestral tribe along with them.^(A)

⁴⁸ The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ⁴⁹ “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not enroll, and you shall not take a census of them with the other Israelites. ⁵⁰ Rather, you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the covenant and over all its equipment and over all that belongs to it; they are to carry the tabernacle and all its equipment, and they shall tend it and shall camp around the tabernacle.^{(B) 51} When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.^{(C) 52} The other Israelites shall camp in their respective regimental camps, by companies,^{(D) 53} but the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the covenant, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the Israelites, and the Levites shall perform the duties of the tabernacle of the covenant.”^{(E) 54} The Israelites did so; they did just as the Lord commanded Moses.