Numbers 18:1–7
18 Then the Lord said to Aaron: a“You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bbear the 1iniquity related to the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood. 2 Also bring with you your brethren of the ctribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may be djoined with you and serve you while you and your sons are with you before the tabernacle of 2witness. 3 They shall attend to your 3needs and eall the needs of the tabernacle; fbut they shall not come near the articles of the sanctuary and the altar, glest they die—they and you also. 4 They shall be joined with you and attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, for all the work of the tabernacle; hbut an outsider shall not come near you. 5 And you shall attend to ithe duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, jthat there may be no more wrath on the children of Israel. 6 Behold, I Myself have ktaken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; lthey are a gift to you, given by the Lord, to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting. 7 Therefore myou and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and nbehind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a ogift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”