⁸ “At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi^(A) to carry the ark of the Lord’s covenant, to stand before the Lord to serve him, and to pronounce blessings in his name, as it is today.

⁵ Then the priests, the sons of Levi, will come forward, for the Lord your God has chosen them to serve him and pronounce blessings in his name, and they are to give a ruling in^[a] every dispute and case of assault.

¹¹ My sons, don’t be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to serve him, and to be his ministers and burners of incense.”^(A)

⁴⁶ The chamber that faces north is for the priests who keep charge of the altar. These are the sons of Zadok,^(A) the ones from the sons of Levi who may approach the Lord to serve him.”^(B)

¹¹ Yet they will occupy my sanctuary, serving as guards at the temple gates^(A) and ministering at the temple. They will slaughter the burnt offerings^(B) and other sacrifices for the people and will stand before them to serve them.^(C)

The Priests’ Duties and Privileges

¹⁵ “But the Levitical priests descended from Zadok,^(A) who kept charge of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, will approach me to serve me. They will stand before me to offer me fat and blood.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. ¹⁶ “They are the ones who may enter my sanctuary^(B) and approach my table to serve me.^(C) They will keep my mandate.