"Takethe Levitesinsteadof allthe firstbornamong the sonsof Israeland the cattleof the Levites.And the Levitesshall be Mine; I am the LORD.
"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.
"Then you will knowthat I have sentthiscommandmentto you, that My covenantmay continuewith Levi,"saysthe LORDof hosts.
"Behold,I Myselfhave takenyour fellowLevitesfrom amongthe sonsof Israel;they are a giftto you, dedicatedto the LORD,to performthe servicefor the tentof meeting.
"Now, behold,I have takenthe Levitesfrom amongthe sonsof Israelinsteadof everyfirstborn,the firstissueof the wombamongthe sonsof Israel.So the Levitesshall be Mine.
Then the LORDspoketo Moses,saying,
for they are whollygivento Me from amongthe sonsof Israel.I have takenthem for Myself insteadof everyfirstissueof the womb,the firstbornof allthe sonsof Israel.
