Josephmadeit a statuteconcerningthe landof Egypt[valid] to thisday,that Pharaohshould have the fifth;onlythe landof the priestsdid not becomePharaoh's.
And blessedbe GodMostHigh,Whohas deliveredyour enemiesinto your hand."He gavehim a tenthof all.
"Thisstone,whichI have setup as a pillar,will be God'shouse,and of allthat You giveme I will surelygivea tenthto You."
"Let Pharaohtakeactionto appointoverseersin chargeof the land,and let him exacta fifth[of the produce] of the landof Egyptin the sevenyearsof abundance.
Onlythe landof the priestshe did not buy,for the priestshad an allotmentfrom Pharaoh,and they livedoffthe allotmentwhichPharaohgavethem. Therefore,they did not selltheir land.
So they said,"You have savedour lives!Let us findfavorin the sightof my lord,and we will be Pharaoh'sslaves."
"We also informyou that it is not allowedto imposetax,tributeor toll[on] anyof the priests,Levites,singers,doorkeepers,Nethinimor servantsof thishouseof God.
Therefore, I will bringthe worstof the nations,and they will possesstheir houses.I will also make the prideof the strongonescease,and their holyplaceswill be profaned.
Thus allthe titheof the land,of the seedof the landor of the fruitof the tree,is the LORD'S;it is holyto the LORD.
"To the sonsof Levi,behold,I have givenallthe tithein Israelfor an inheritance,in returnfor their servicewhichthey perform,the serviceof the tentof meeting.
"You shall surelytitheallthe producefrom whatyou sow,which comesout of the fieldeveryyear.
"Whenyou have finishedpayingallthe titheof your increasein the thirdyear,the yearof tithing,then you shall giveit to the Levite,to the stranger,to the orphanand to the widow,that they may eatin your townsand be satisfied.
