11. These Levites are to be servants in my Holy Place. They may guard the gates of the Temple. They may serve in the Temple. They may kill the animals for the burnt offering and the sacrifices for the people. They may stand before the people to serve them.
12. But these Levites helped the people worship their idols and caused the people of Israel to fall. So I have made this promise: They will be punished for their sin, says the Lord God.
13. They will not come near me to serve as priests. They will not come near any of my holy things or the most holy offerings. But they will be ashamed of the things they did that I hate.
14. But I will make them take care of the Temple. They will take care of everything that must be done in it.
15. “‘But this is not true for priests who are Levites and descendants of Zadok. They took care of my Holy Place when Israel left me. They may come near to serve me. They may stand in my presence. They will offer me the fat and blood of the animals they sacrifice, says the Lord God.
16. They are the only ones who may enter my Holy Place. They may come near my table to serve me. They may take care of the things I gave them.
17. “‘When they enter the gates of the inner courtyard, they must wear linen robes. They must not wear wool to serve at the gates of the inner courtyard or in the Temple.
18. They will wear linen turbans on their heads and linen underclothes. They will not wear anything that makes them perspire.
19. At times they will go out into the outer courtyard to the people. But before they go, they must take off their serving clothes. They must put these clothes away in the holy rooms. And they must put on other clothes. Then they will not let their holy clothes hurt the people.
20. “‘They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long. They must keep the hair of their heads trimmed.
21. None of the priests may drink wine when they enter the inner courtyard.
22. The priests must not marry a widow or a divorced woman. They may marry only virgins from the people of Israel. Or they may marry a widow of a priest.
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.