12. But because these Levites served the people of Israel when they worshipped idols, I, the Lord God, promise that the Levites will be punished. They did not stop the Israelites from sinning,
13. and now I will no longer let the Levites serve as my priests or come near anything sacred to me. They must suffer shame and disgrace for their disgusting sins.
14. They will be responsible for all the hard work that must be done in the temple.
15. The priests of the Levi tribe who are descendants of Zadok the priest were faithful to me, even when the rest of the Israelites turned away. And so, these priests will continue to serve as my priests and to offer the fat and the blood of sacrifices.
16. They will come into my temple, where they will offer sacrifices at my altar and lead others in worship.
17. When they come to the inner courtyard, they must wear their linen priestly clothes. My priests must never wear anything made of wool when they are on duty in this courtyard or in the temple.
18. Even their turbans and underwear must be made of linen to keep my priests from sweating when they work.
19. And before they leave to join the other people in the outer courtyard, they must take off their priestly clothes, then place them in the sacred rooms and put on their ordinary clothes. That way, no one will touch their sacred clothes and be harmed.
20. Priests must never shave their heads when they are mourning. But they must keep their hair properly trimmed and not let it grow too long.