1
These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.
2
These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the first-born, and Abi'hu, Elea'zar, and Ith'amar;
3
these are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to minister in the priest's office.
4
But Nadab and Abi'hu died before the LORD when they offered unholy fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Elea'zar and Ith'amar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.
5
And the LORD said to Moses,
6
"Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
7
They shall perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle;
8
they shall have charge of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and attend to the duties for the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.
9
And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel.
10
And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; but if any one else comes near, he shall be put to death."
11
And the LORD said to Moses,
12
"Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every first-born that opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine,
13
for all the first-born are mine; on the day that I slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the first-born in Israel, both of man and of beast; they shall be mine: I am the LORD."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version)