³⁰ The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan^(A) son of Uzziel.

³¹ They were responsible for the care of the ark,^(A) the table,^(B) the lampstand,^(C) the altars,^(D) the articles^(E) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,^(F) and everything related to their use.^(G)

⁴ “This is the work^(A) of the Kohathites^(B) at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.^(C)

¹⁵ “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,^(A) only then are the Kohathites^(B) to come and do the carrying.^(C) But they must not touch the holy things^(D) or they will die.^(E) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

⁸ At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi^(A) to carry the ark of the covenant^(B) of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister^(C) and to pronounce blessings^(D) in his name, as they still do today.^(E)

² Then David said, “No one but the Levites^(A) may carry^(B) the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister^(C) before him forever.”

¹⁵ And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded^(A) in accordance with the word of the Lord.^(B)