⁷ They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, ^(A)as they minister at the tabernacle. ⁸ They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.

²⁵ And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. ²⁶ They minister^[a] to their brothers in the tent of meeting ^(A)by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

⁵ And you shall ^(A)keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, ^(B)that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel. ^6 (C)And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. ^(D)They are a gift to you, given to the Lord, to do the service of the tent of meeting. ⁷ And ^(E)you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and ^(F)that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift,^[a] and ^(G)any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”