Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Take Aaron and his sons and wash them thoroughly. Then put fine linen tunics on them, and anoint them with oil as you would anoint a high priest and his sons to serve me in the tent of meeting."

Moses did this; he took Aaron, his sons, and washed them with water. He put the fine linen tunic on them, anointed them with oil as the Lord had commanded, and brought them near him.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Take one young bull for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and bring them before the tabernacle of the congregation. Gather the whole assembly of the Israelites together."

Moses did this; he took the two animals and brought them near the tabernacle. He gathered the whole assembly of the Israelites and placed their hands on Aaron and his sons for an offering to the Lord.

Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and after that the Levites were purified and washed their clothes. Moses brought the Levites before Aaron and his sons to be presented as a wave offering to the Lord.

Moses took the Levites from among the Israelites, as the Lord had commanded him, and cleansed them. He took seven of them for purification and one young bull with its meal offering, and another young bull for a sin offering.

Then Moses brought the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation and gathered the whole assembly of the Israelites together. Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and Moses presented the Levites as an offering to make atonement on their behalf.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel. For every firstborn of the Israelites is mine, both man and beast; I struck down every firstborn in Egypt and set them apart for myself."

Moses took the Levites from among the Israelites and gave them to Aaron and his sons to serve in the tabernacle and make atonement for them. The Levites went in to perform their service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron and his sons, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "From thirty years old and upward, all who are able to come into the host of Israel shall go in to do the service of the tabernacle of witness. From twenty-five years old and upward, they shall serve in the tabernacle of the congregation; but from fifty years old they shall retire from doing the work and serve no more."

The Levites served with their brothers in the tabernacle, performing their assigned duties and doing no other service.