Numbers 3:6-16

6“Bring the tribe of Levi, and have them stand in front of the priest Aaron to assist him.

7They will work for him and the whole community in front of the tent of meeting, doing what needs to be done for the inner tent.

8They will take care of all the furnishings in the tent of meeting and work for the Israelites, doing what needs to be done for the inner tent.

9Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. The Levites will be the only Israelites given to them.

10Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. Anyone else who tries to do the priests’ duties must be put to death.”

11The Lord said to Moses,

12“Out of all the Israelites, I have taken the Levites to be substitutes for every firstborn male offspring among them. The Levites are mine,

13because every firstborn is mine. The day I killed every firstborn male in Egypt, I set apart as holy every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They will be mine. I am the Lord.”

14The Lord said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai,

15“Count the Levites by households and families. Count every male who is at least one month old.”

16So Moses did what the Lord said and registered them as he had been commanded.