When the camp is to move,(A) Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain(B) and put it over the ark of the covenant law.(C) Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,[a](D) spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles(E) in place.

“Over the table of the Presence(F) they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings;(G) the bread that is continually there(H) is to remain on it. They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles(I) in place.

“They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays,(J) and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. 10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.(K)

11 “Over the gold altar(L) they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles(M) in place.

12 “They are to take all the articles(N) used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.(O)

13 “They are to remove the ashes(P) from the bronze altar(Q) and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils(R) used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans,(S) meat forks,(T) shovels(U) and sprinkling bowls.(V) Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles(W) in place.

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,(X) only then are the Kohathites(Y) to come and do the carrying.(Z) But they must not touch the holy things(AA) or they will die.(AB) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

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Footnotes

  1. Numbers 4:6 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals; also in verses 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 25

Duties of Priests and Levites

18 The Lord said to Aaron, “You, your sons and your family are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the sanctuary,(A) and you and your sons alone are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the priesthood.

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“You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar,(A) so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelites again.

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But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain.(A) I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift.(B) Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.(C)

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