15. “The firstborn of every mother, whether human or animal, that is offered to the lord will be yours. But you must always redeem your firstborn sons and the firstborn of ceremonially unclean animals.
16. Redeem them when they are one month old. The redemption price is five pieces of silver (as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs).
17. “However, you may not redeem the firstborn of cattle, sheep, or goats. They are holy and have been set apart for the lord. Sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the lord.
18. The meat of these animals will be yours, just like the breast and right thigh that are presented by lifting them up as a special offering before the altar.
19. Yes, I am giving you all these holy offerings that the people of Israel bring to the lord. They are for you and your sons and daughters, to be eaten as your permanent share. This is an eternal and unbreakable covenant between the lord and you, and it also applies to your descendants.”
20. And the lord said to Aaron, “You priests will receive no allotment of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your share and your allotment.
21. As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel.
22. “From now on, no Israelites except priests or Levites may approach the Tabernacle. If they come too near, they will be judged guilty and will die.
23. Only the Levites may serve at the Tabernacle, and they will be held responsible for any offenses against it. This is a permanent law for you, to be observed from generation to generation. The Levites will receive no allotment of land among the Israelites,