Numbers 4:12–18

12 “They are to take all the articlese used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.f

13 “They are to remove the ashesg from the bronze altarh and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensilsi used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans,j meat forks,k shovelsl and sprinkling bowls.m Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the polesn in place.

15 “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,o only then are the Kohathitesp to come and do the carrying.q But they must not touch the holy thingsr or they will die.s The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

16 “Eleazart son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light,u the fragrant incense,v the regular grain offeringw and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

17 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 18 “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites.