18. Cut ye not off the shevet (tribe) of the mishpekhot of the Kehati from among the Levi'im;
19. But this do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto kodesh hakodashim (the most holy things): Aharon and his banim shall go in, and appoint them every one to his avodah (service, ministry) and to his massa (burden);
20. But they shall not go in to look for a single instant at hakodesh, lest they die.
21. And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,
22. Take also the census of the Bnei Gershon, throughout the bais avot of them, by their mishpekhot;
23. From shloshim shanah (thirty years old) and upward until chamishim shanah (fifty years old) shalt thou number them; all that enter to serve the tz'va (holy militia service of Hashem), to labor in the Avodah in the Ohel Mo'ed.
24. This is the Avodat Mishpekhot Gershoni, as relates to service and massa (burden):
25. And they shall bear the curtains of the Mishkan, and the Ohel Mo'ed, its covering, and the tachash hide covering that is over the top of it, and the screen for the entrance of the Ohel Mo'ed,
26. And the hangings of the khatzer (court), and the hanging for the entrance of the sha'ar (gate) of the khatzer (court), which is around the Mishkan and around the Mizbe'ach, and their cords, and all the Klei Avodah (Utensils of Service, Ministry) of them, and all that is done for them; so shall they serve.
27. At the appointment of Aharon and his banim shall be all the Avodat Bnei Gershoni, in all their massa (burdens), and in all their avodah (service); and ye shall appoint unto them in mishmeret (guard duty responsibility) for all their massa (burdens).