Numbers 1:47-54

Modern English Version

⁴⁷ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. ⁴⁸ For the Lord had spoken to Moses, saying: ⁴⁹ Only you will not number the tribe of Levi, nor take the census of them among the children of Israel, ⁵⁰ but you will appoint the Levites over the tent of the testimony, and over all its vessels, and over all things that belong to it. They will carry the tabernacle, and all its vessels, and they will minister to it, and will camp around the tabernacle. ⁵¹ When the tabernacle sets out, the Levites will take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites will set it up, and the foreigner that approaches will be put to death. ⁵² The children of Israel will pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their armies. ⁵³ But the Levites will camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so there will be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel. And the Levites will keep the charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.

⁵⁴ Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses.