17. For all the firstborn of the children of Israel, both of men and of beasts, are mine. From the day that I slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, have I sanctified them to myself:
18. And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel:
19. And have delivered them for a gift to Aaron and his sons out of the midst of the people, to serve me for Israel in the tabernacle of the covenant, and to pray for them, lest there should be a plague among the people, if they should presume to approach unto my sanctuary.
20. And Moses and Aaron and all the multitude of the children of Israel did with the Levites all that the Lord had commanded Moses:
21. And they were purified, and washed their garments. And Aaron lifted them up in the sight of the Lard, and prayed for them,
22. That being purified they might go into the tabernacle of the covenant to do their services before Aaron and his sons. As the Lord had commanded Moses touching the Levites, so was it done.
23. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
24. This is the law of the Levites: From twenty-five years old and upwards, they shall go in to minister in the tabernacle of the covenant.