3. You must see that they perform their duties. But if they go near any of the sacred objects or the altar, all of you will die.
4. No one else is allowed to take care of the sacred tent or to do anything connected with it.
5. Follow these instructions, so I won't become angry and punish the Israelites ever again.
6. I alone chose the Levites from all the other tribes to belong to me, and I have given them to you as your helpers.
7. But only you and your sons can serve as priests at the altar and in the most holy place. Your work as priests is a gift from me, and anyone else who tries to do that work must be put to death.
22-23. They are the only ones allowed to work at the tent, and they must not let anyone else come near it. Those who do must be put to death, and the Levites will also be punished. This law will never change.Since the Levites won't be given any land in Israel as their own,
24. they will be given the crops and newborn animals that the Israelites offer to me.
25. The Lord told Moses
26. to say to the Levites:When you receive from the people of Israel ten per cent of their crops and newborn animals, you must offer a tenth of that to me.
27. Just as the Israelites give me part of their grain and wine, you must set aside part of what you receive
28. as an offering to me. That amount must then be given to Aaron,
29. so the best of what you receive will be mine.
30. After you have dedicated the best parts to me, you can eat the rest, just as the Israelites eat part of their grain and wine after offering them to me.
31. Your share may be eaten anywhere by anyone in your family, because it is your pay for working at the sacred tent.
32. You won't be punished for eating it, as long as you have already offered the best parts to me.The gifts and sacrifices brought by the people must remain sacred, and if you eat any part of them before they are offered to me, you will be put to death.