5. “They must never cut their hair throughout the time of their vow, for they are holy and set apart to the lord. Until the time of their vow has been fulfilled, they must let their hair grow long.
6. And they must not go near a dead body during the entire period of their vow to the lord.
7. Even if the dead person is their own father, mother, brother, or sister, they must not defile themselves, for the hair on their head is the symbol of their separation to God.
8. This requirement applies as long as they are set apart to the lord.
9. “If someone falls dead beside them, the hair they have dedicated will be defiled. They must wait for seven days and then shave their heads. Then they will be cleansed from their defilement.
10. On the eighth day they must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
11. The priest will offer one of the birds for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way, he will purify them from the guilt they incurred through contact with the dead body. Then they must reaffirm their commitment and let their hair begin to grow again.