18. And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the sons of Israel.
19. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the sons of Israel, that they may serve the ministry of the sons of Israel in the tabernacle of the testimony and reconcile the sons of Israel, that there be no plague in the sons of Israel when the sons of Israel come near unto the sanctuary.
20. And Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the sons of Israel did to the Levites according unto all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did the sons of Israel unto them.
21. And the sin was removed from the Levites, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before the Lord; and Aaron reconciled them to cleanse them.
22. And thus went the Levites in to serve in their ministry in the tabernacle of the testimony before Aaron and before his sons; in the manner that the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.
23. And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying,
24. This regarding the Levites from twenty-five years old and upward, they shall go in to serve in the host of the tabernacle of the testimony.
25. And from the age of fifty years they shall return from their ministry unto the host and shall never serve again,
26. but shall serve with their brethren in the tabernacle of the testimony, to stand guard, even though they do not serve in the ministry. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.