Numbers 18:1-7

Expanded Bible

The Work of the Priests and Levites

18 The Lord said to Aaron, “You, your sons, and your ·family [father’s house] are now responsible for any wrongs done against the Holy Place; you and your sons are responsible for any wrongs done against the priests. ² Bring with you your ·fellow [brother] Levites from your tribe, and they will ·help [join; ^Cthe name Levi means “joined”] you and your sons serve in the Tent of the ·Agreement [Testimony; Treaty; Covenant; Ex. 25:10]. ³ They are under your control, to do all the work that needs to be done in the Tent. But they must not go near the things in the Holy Place or near the altar. If they do, both you and they will die. ⁴ They will join you in taking care of the Meeting Tent. They must do the work at the Tent, and no ·one else [stranger; outsider] may come near you.

⁵ “You must take care of the Holy Place and the altar so that I won’t become angry with the ·Israelites [^Lsons/^Tchildren of Israel] again. ⁶ I myself chose your ·fellow [brother] Levites from among the ·Israelites [^Lsons/^Tchildren of Israel] as a gift given for you to the Lord, to work at the Meeting Tent. ⁷ But only you and your sons may ·serve as priests [^Lguard the priesthood]. Only you may serve at the altar or go behind the curtain. I am giving you this gift of serving as a priest, and ·anyone else [any stranger/outsider] who comes near the Holy Place will be put to death.”