15. After they have been made acceptable and have been dedicated, they will be allowed to work at my sacred tent.
16. They are mine and will take the place of the firstborn Israelite sons.
17. When I killed the eldest sons of the Egyptians, I decided that the firstborn sons in each Israelite family would be mine, as well as every firstborn male from their flocks and herds.
18. But now I have chosen these Levites as substitutes for the firstborn sons,
19. and I have given them as gifts to Aaron and his sons to serve at the sacred tent. I will hold them responsible for what happens to anyone who gets too close to the sacred tent.
20. Moses, Aaron, and the other Israelites made sure that the Levites did everything the Lord had commanded.