Numbers 18:1-7

The work of the priests and the Levites

1 The Lord said to Aaron, ‘You and your sons and the other Levites serve me in my holy tent. So if any wrong thing happens there, you are the people who will be guilty. You will also be guilty of any wrong thing that happens among the priests. 2 Bring the other people of your tribe, the Levites, to help you in the tabernacle. They will join with you while you and your sons serve me there. 3 They must take care of the tabernacle on your behalf. But they must never go near anything that is inside the Holy Place. And they must not go near the altar. If they do, they will die, and you will die too. 4 The Levites must join with you as you serve me in the Tent of Meeting. It is their job to do all the work to take care of the Tent. No other people have authority to join you as you work there.

5 You and your sons must take care of the Holy Place and the altar. Then I will not have to punish the Israelites again. 6 I have chosen your family, the Levites, from among the other Israelite tribes. I, the Lord, have given them to you. They will help you to take care of the Tent of Meeting. 7 But only you, Aaron, and your sons will serve me as priests. You alone will serve me at the altar and in the Most Holy Place behind the curtain. I have chosen you to serve me as my priests. That is my gift to you. If any other person tries to do that work, they must die.’