11. They might serve in my temple. They might be in charge of its gates. They might kill the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people. And they might stand in front of the people and serve them in other ways.
12. "But they served the people of Israel while they were worshiping their gods. They made the people fall into sin. So I raised my hand and took an oath. I warned them that I would punish them because of their sin," announces the Lord and King.
13. "They must not approach me to serve me as priests. They must not come near any of my holy things. They must stay away from my very holy offerings. They did many things they should have been ashamed of. I hated those things.
14. "But I will still put them in charge of the temple duties. They can do all of the work that has to be done there.
15. "But the priests must approach me to serve me. They are Levites from Zadok's family line. They faithfully carried out their duties in my temple. They obeyed me when the people of Israel turned away from me. Those priests must serve me by offering sacrifices of fat and blood," announces the Lord and King.
16. "They are the only ones who can enter my temple. Only they can come near to serve me and do my work.
17. "They will enter the gates of the inner courtyard. When they do, they must wear linen clothes. They will serve at the gates of the inner courtyard or inside the temple. When they do, they must not wear any clothes that are made out of wool.
18. They must have linen turbans on their heads. They must wear linen underwear around their waists. They must not put anything on that makes them sweat.
19. "They will go into the outer courtyard where the people are. When they do, they must take off the clothes they have been serving in. They must leave them in the sacred rooms. And they must put other clothes on. Then they will not make the people holy if the people happen to touch their clothes.
20. "The priests must not shave their heads. They must not let their hair grow long. They must keep it cut short.
21. No priest can drink wine when he enters the inner courtyard.