Numbers 4:4–16

“This is the work^d of the Kohathites^e at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.^f When the camp is to move,^g Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain^h and put it over the ark of the covenant law.ⁱ Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,^j spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles^k in place.

“Over the table of the Presence^l they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings;^m the bread that is continually thereⁿ is to remain on it. They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles^o in place.

“They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays,^p and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.^q

“Over the gold altar^r they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles^s in place.

“They are to take all the articles^t 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.^u

“They are to remove the ashes^v from the bronze altar^w and spread a purple cloth over it. Then they are to place on it all the utensils^x used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans,^y meat forks,^z shovels^a and sprinkling bowls.^b Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles^c in place.

“After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,^d only then are the Kohathites^e to come and do the carrying.^f But they must not touch the holy things^g or they will die.^hi The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

“Eleazar^j son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light,^k the fragrant incense,^l the regular grain offering^m and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”