20. But the Kohathites are not to go in to look at what is holy, not even momentarily, or they will die.”
21. Again Adonai spoke to Moses saying,
22. “Take a census also of the sons of Gershon, by their ancestral households and by their families.
23. Count all the males from 30 to 50 years of age, everyone coming to work in the service of the Tent of Meeting.
24. This is the task of the Gershonite families in working and carrying burdens.
25. They are to carry the curtains of the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, its covering, the outer covering of porpoise hide, the curtains for the entrance for the Tent of Meeting,
26. the curtains surrounding the courtyard and the altar, the curtain for the entrance, the ropes and all the equipment used in its operations. They are to do all that needs to be done with these things.
27. The sons of the Gershonites are to do all their tasks, whether carrying or doing other work, according to the word of Aaron and his sons. You are to assign to them all that is their responsibility to carry.
28. This is the duty of the families of the sons of the Gershonites regarding the Tent of Meeting. Their duty will be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the kohen.
29. Next, count the sons of Merari, according to their families and their ancestral houses,
30. sons 30 years old and upward to 50, everyone coming to work in the service of the Tent of Meeting.
31. This is their task in the service of the Tent of Meeting: the frames of the Tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases,
32. as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard, plus their bases, tent pegs, ropes, and all their paraphernalia with everything related to their operation. Assign to them by name their duties and tasks.
33. This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari as they work under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the kohen.”
34. So Moses, Aaron and the princes of the community counted the sons of the Kohathites according to their families and their ancestral households.