15. “When the camp is ready to move, have Aaron and his sons cover all the holy things. Then the Kohathites may go in and carry away those things. This way they won’t touch the holy things and die. It is the Kohathites’ job to carry the things that are in the Meeting Tent.
16. “Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, will be responsible for the Holy Tent. And he is responsible for everything in it: the oil for the lamp, the sweet-smelling incense, the continual grain offering and the oil used to appoint priests and things to the Lord’s service.”
17. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
18. “Don’t let the Kohathites be destroyed from the Levites.
19. Do this for the Kohathites. Then they may go near the Most Holy Place and not die. Aaron and his sons must go in and show each Kohathite what to do. And they must show each man what to carry.
20. The Kohathites must not enter and look at the holy things, even for a second. If they do, they will die.”
21. The Lord said to Moses,
22. “Count the Gershonites by families and family groups.
23. Count the men from 30 to 50 years old. Everyone has a job to do in the Meeting Tent.
24. “This is what the Gershonite family groups must do and what they must carry.
25. They must carry the pieces of cloth of the Holy Tent and Meeting Tent. They must also carry its covering and the covering made from fine leather. And they must carry the curtains for the entrance to the Meeting Tent.
26. They must carry the curtains of the courtyard that goes around the Holy Tent and the altar. They must carry the curtain for the entry to the courtyard and the ropes and all the things used with the curtains. They must do everything connected with these things.
27. Aaron and his sons are in charge of what the Gershonites do or carry. You tell them what they are responsible for carrying.
28. This is the work of the Gershonite family group at the Meeting Tent. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, will direct their work.
29. “Count the Merarite families and family groups.
30. Count the men from 30 to 50 years old. They will work at the Meeting Tent.
31. It is their job to carry the frame of the Meeting Tent, the crossbars, the posts and bases.
32. They must also carry the posts that go around the courtyard. They must carry the bases, tent pegs and ropes. And they must carry everything that is used with the poles around the courtyard. Tell each man exactly what to carry.
33. This is the work the Merarites will do for the Meeting Tent. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, will direct their work.”