² “Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in^(A) from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands^(B) around the towns. ³ Then they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for the cattle they own and all their other animals.^(C)

⁴ “The pasturelands around the towns that you give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits^[a] from the town wall. ⁵ Outside the town, measure two thousand cubits^[b](D) on the east side, two thousand on the south side, two thousand on the west and two thousand on the north, with the town in the center. They will have this area as pastureland for the towns.^(E)

⁹ But didn’t you drive out the priests^(A) of the Lord,^(B) the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull^(C) and seven rams^(D) may become a priest of what are not gods.^(E)