21
None of the priests may drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard.
22
The priests must not marry widows or divorced women. They may marry only virgins from the people of Israel or widows of priests.
23
They must teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is not holy. They must help my people know what is unclean and what is clean.
24
"'In court they will act as judges. When they judge, they will follow my teachings. They must obey my laws and my rules at all my special feasts and keep my Sabbaths holy.
25
"'They must not go near a dead person, making themselves unclean. But they are allowed to make themselves unclean if the dead person is their father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or a sister who has not married.
26
After a priest has been made clean again, he must wait seven days.
27
Then he may go into the inner courtyard to serve in the Temple, but he must offer a sin offering for himself, says the Lord God.
28
"'These are the rules about the priests and their property: They will have me instead of property. You will not give them any land to own in Israel; I am what they will own.
29
They will eat the grain offerings, sin offerings, and penalty offerings. Everything Israel gives to me will be theirs.
30
The best fruits of all the first harvests and all the special gifts offered to me will belong to the priests. You will also give to the priests the first part of your grain that you grind and so bring a blessing on your family.
31
The priests must not eat any bird or animal that died a natural death or one that has been torn by wild animals.