"Bringthe tribeof Levinearand setthem beforeAaronthe priest,that they may servehim.
ThenDavidsaid,"Noone is to carrythe arkof Godbut the Levites;for the LORDchosethem to carrythe arkof Godand to ministerto Him forever."
For their officeis to assistthe sonsof Aaronwith the serviceof the houseof the LORD,in the courtsand in the chambersand in the purifyingof allholythings,even the workof the serviceof the houseof God,
Thus they are to keepchargeof the tentof meeting,and chargeof the holyplace, and chargeof the sonsof Aarontheir relatives,for the serviceof the houseof the LORD.
Theseare those who servedwith their sons:From the sonsof the Kohathites[were] Hemanthe singer,the sonof Joel,the sonof Samuel,
"My sons,do not be negligentnow,for the LORDhas chosenyou to standbeforeHim, to ministerto Him, and to be His ministersand burnincense."
Then they appointedthe prieststo their divisionsand the Levitesin their ordersfor the serviceof Godin Jerusalem,as it is writtenin the bookof Moses.
"Then you will knowthat I have sentthiscommandmentto you, that My covenantmay continuewith Levi,"saysthe LORDof hosts.
"To the sonsof Levi,behold,I have givenallthe tithein Israelfor an inheritance,in returnfor their servicewhichthey perform,the serviceof the tentof meeting.
"Then the tentof meetingshall setout [with] the campof the Levitesin the midstof the camps;justas they camp,sothey shall setout, everymanin his placeby their standards.
The Levites,however, were not numberedamongthe sonsof Israel,justas the LORDhad commandedMoses.
Then the LORDspoketo Moses,saying,
At that timethe LORDsetapartthe tribeof Levito carrythe arkof the covenantof the LORD,to standbeforethe LORDto serveHim and to blessin His nameuntilthisday.
