7. “Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on this altar every morning when he takes care of the lamps.
8. Also, when Aaron lights the lamps at dusk, he must burn incense. For generations to come an incense offering must burn constantly in the Lord’s presence.
9. “Never burn any unauthorized incense on this altar or any burnt offerings or grain offerings. Never pour a wine offering on it.
10. Once a year Aaron must make peace with the Lord by putting blood on its horns. Once a year—for generations to come—blood from the offering must be placed on the altar to make peace with the Lord. It is most holy to the Lord.”
11. Then the Lord said to Moses,
12. “When you take a census of the Israelites, each person must pay the Lord a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will happen to them when they are counted.
13. As each person is counted, he must give one-fifth of an ounce of silver using the standard weight of the holy place. This one-fifth of an ounce of silver is a contribution to the Lord.
14. Everyone counted who is at least 20 years old must give this contribution to the Lord.
15. The rich must not give more than one-fifth of an ounce of silver, and the poor must not give less. This contribution is given to make peace with the Lord and make your lives acceptable to the Lord.
16. Take the money the Israelites give to make peace with the Lord, and use it to pay the expenses of the tent of meeting. It will be a reminder for the Israelites in the Lord’s presence that the sins in their lives are removed.”
17. The Lord said to Moses,
18. “Make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and fill it with water.
19. Aaron and his sons will use it for washing their hands and feet.
20. Before they go into the tent of meeting, they must wash so that they will not die. Before they come near the altar to serve as priests and burn an offering by fire to the Lord,