15. And after this, they shall enter the tabernacle of the covenant, in order to serve me. And so shall you purify and consecrate them as an oblation to the Lord. For they were given to me as a gift from the sons of Israel.
16. I have accepted them in place of the firstborn which open every womb in Israel.
17. For all the firstborn of the sons of Israel, as much from men as from beasts, are mine. From the day when I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I have sanctified them to myself.
18. And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the sons of Israel.
19. And I have delivered them as a gift to Aaron and his sons, from the midst of the people, in order to serve me, for Israel, in the tabernacle of the covenant, and in order to pray for them, lest there be a scourge among the people, if they were to dare to approach to my Sanctuary."
20. And Moses and Aaron, and all the multitude of the sons of Israel, accomplished all that the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites.
21. And they were purified, and they washed their garments. And Aaron lifted them up in the sight of the Lord, and he prayed for them,
22. so that, having been purified, they might enter to their duties in the tabernacle of the covenant before Aaron and his sons. Just as the Lord had instructed Moses about the Levites, so was it done.
23. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
24. "This is the law of the Levites: From twenty-five years and above, they shall enter to minister in the tabernacle of the covenant.
25. And when they will have completed the fiftieth year of age, they shall cease to serve.
26. And they shall be the ministers of their brothers in the tabernacle of the covenant, in order to care for the things that have been commended to them, but not to perform the works themselves. So shall you assign the Levites in their duties."