And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him.
And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that open the womb among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.
Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When either a man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:
For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to him, and to bless in his name, until this day.