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)

⁵ The Levitical priests shall step forward, for the Lord your God has chosen them to minister and to pronounce blessings^(A) in the name of the Lord and to decide all cases of dispute and assault.^(B)

¹¹ My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him and serve him,^(A) to minister^(B) before him and to burn incense.”

⁴⁶ and the room facing north^(A) is for the priests who guard the altar.^(B) These are the sons of Zadok,^(C) who are the only Levites who may draw near to the Lord to minister before him.^(D)”

¹¹ They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings^(A) and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them.^(B)

¹⁵ “‘But the Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok^(A) and who guarded my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat^(B) and blood, declares the Sovereign Lord.^{(C) 16} They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table^(D) to minister before me and serve me as guards.^(E)