12. But these Levites helped the people worship their idols and caused the people of Israel to fall, so I make this promise: They will be punished for their sin, says the Lord God.
13. They will not come near me to serve as priests, nor will they come near any of my holy things or the most holy offerings. But they will be made ashamed of the things they did that I hate.
14. I will put them in charge of taking care of the Temple area, all the work that must be done in it.
15. “ ‘But the priests who are Levites and descendants of Zadok took care of my Holy Place when Israel left me, so they may come near to serve me. They may stand in my presence to 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. Only they may come near my table to serve me and take care of the things I gave them to do.
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. When they go out into the outer courtyard to the people, they must take off their serving clothes before they go. They must leave these clothes in the holy rooms and 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 but must keep the hair of their heads trimmed.