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.
8-9. The Lord said to Aaron:I have put you in charge of the sacred gifts and sacrifices that the Israelites bring to me. And from now on, you, your sons, and your descendants will receive part of the sacrifices for sin, as well as part of the grain sacrifices, and the sacrifices to make things right. Your share of these sacrifices will be the parts not burnt on the altar.
10. Since these things are sacred, they must be eaten near the sacred tent, but only men are allowed to eat them.
11. You will also receive part of the special gifts and offerings that the Israelites bring to me. Any member of your family who is clean and acceptable for worship can eat these things.
12. For example, when the Israelites bring me the first batches of oil, wine, and grain, you can have the best parts of those gifts.
13. And the first part of the crops from their fields and vineyards also belongs to you. The people will offer this to me, then anyone in your family who is clean may have some of it.
14. Everything in Israel that has been completely dedicated to me will now belong to you.
15. The firstborn son in every Israelite family, as well as the firstborn males of their flocks and herds, belong to me. But a firstborn son and every firstborn donkey must be bought back from me.
16. The price for a firstborn son who is at least one month old will be five pieces of silver, weighed according to the official standards.