you shall devoteto the LORDthe firstoffspringof everywomb,and the firstoffspringof everybeastthat you own;the malesbelong to the LORD.
and bringto the houseof our Godthe firstbornof our sonsand of our cattle,and the firstbornof our herdsand our flocksas it is writtenin the law,for the priestswho are ministeringin the houseof our God.
We will also bringthe firstof our dough,our contributions,the fruitof everytree,the newwineand the oilto the priestsat the chambersof the houseof our God,and the titheof our groundto the Levites,for the Levitesare they who receivethe tithesin allthe ruraltowns.
Then the LORDspoketo Moses,saying,
"Sanctifyto Me everyfirstborn,the firstoffspringof everywombamong the sonsof Israel,both of manand beast;it belongs to Me."
"You shall not curseGod,norcursea rulerof your people.
"You shall not delay[the offering from] your harvestand your vintage.The firstbornof your sonsyou shall giveto Me.
"The firstoffspringfrom everywombbelongs to Me, and allyour malelivestock,the firstoffspringfrom cattleand sheep.
"You shall redeemwith a lambthe firstoffspringfrom a donkey;and ifyou do not redeem[it], then you shall breakits neck.You shall redeemallthe firstbornof your sons.Noneshall appearbeforeMe empty-handed.
"Moreover, you tookyour sonsand daughterswhomyou had borneto Me and sacrificedthem to idols to be devoured.Were your harlotriessosmalla matter?
"The firstof allthe firstfruitsof everykind and everycontributionof everykind, from allyour contributions,shall be for the priests;you shall also giveto the priestthe firstof your doughto cause a blessingto reston your house.
However,a firstbornamong animals,whichas a firstbornbelongs to the LORD,nomanmay consecrateit; whetheroxorsheep,it is the LORD'S.
"Everyfirstissueof the wombof allflesh,whether manor animal,whichthey offerto the LORD,shall be yours; neverthelessthe firstbornof manyou shall surelyredeem,and the firstbornof uncleananimalsyou shall redeem.
"Now, behold,I have takenthe Levitesfrom amongthe sonsof Israelinsteadof everyfirstborn,the firstissueof the wombamongthe sonsof Israel.So the Levitesshall be Mine.
"For allthe firstbornare Mine; on the daythat I struckdownallthe firstbornin the landof Egypt,I sanctifiedto Myself allthe firstbornin Israel,from manto beast.They shall be Mine; I am the LORD."
"For everyfirstbornamong the sonsof Israelis Mine, among the menand among the animals;on the daythat I struckdownallthe firstbornin the landof EgyptI sanctifiedthem for Myself.
(as it is writtenin the Lawof the Lord,"EVERY[firstborn] MALETHAT OPENSTHE WOMBSHALL BE CALLEDHOLYTO THE LORD"),
"You shall consecrateto the LORDyour Godallthe firstbornmalesthat are bornof your herdand of your flock;you shall not workwith the firstbornof your herd,norshearthe firstbornof your flock.
