Numbers 1:47-54

New Century Version

⁴⁷The families from the tribe of Levi were not listed with the others, because ⁴⁸the Lord had told Moses: ⁴⁹“Do not count the tribe of Levi or include them with the other Israelites. ⁵⁰Instead put the Levites in charge of the Holy Tent of the Agreement and everything that is with it. They must carry the Holy Tent and everything in it, and they must take care of it and make their camp around it. ⁵¹Any time the Holy Tent is moved, the Levites must take it down, and any time it is set up, the Levites must do it. Anyone else who goes near the Holy Tent will be put to death. ⁵²The Israelites will make their camps in separate divisions, each family near its flag. ⁵³But the Levites must make their camp around the Holy Tent of the Agreement so that I will not be angry with the Israelites. The Levites will take care of the Holy Tent of the Agreement.”