¹⁶ For they are given to me exclusively from the midst of the Israelites.^[a] I have taken them for myself in place of the firstborn of every womb, every firstborn from the Israelites.^{[b] 17} For every firstborn among the Israelites^[c] is mine, both humankind and animal. On the day I destroyed every firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them to me, ¹⁸ and I have taken the Levites in the place of every firstborn among the Israelites.^[d]