"I have giventhe Levitesas a giftto Aaronand to his sonsfrom amongthe sonsof Israel,to performthe serviceof the sonsof Israelat the tentof meetingand to makeatonementon behalfof the sonsof Israel,so that there will be noplagueamong the sonsof Israelby their comingnearto the sanctuary."
Then allthe sonsof Israeldid[so]; they didjustas the LORDhad commandedMosesand Aaron.
"But you shall appointthe Levitesoverthe tabernacleof the testimony,and overallits furnishingsand overallthat belongs to it. They shall carrythe tabernacleand allits furnishings,and they shall takecareof it; they shall also camparoundthe tabernacle.
"But the Levitesshall camparoundthe tabernacleof the testimony,so that there will be nowrathon the congregationof the sonsof Israel.So the Levitesshall keepchargeof the tabernacleof the testimony."
Mosessaidto Aaron,"Takeyour censerand putin it firefrom the altar,and layincense[on it]; then bringit quicklyto the congregationand makeatonementfor them, for wrathhas goneforthfrom the LORD,the plaguehas begun!"
"But I have takenthe Levitesinsteadof everyfirstbornamong the sonsof Israel.
Thus didMosesand Aaronand allthe congregationof the sonsof Israelto the Levites;according to allthat the LORDhad commandedMosesconcerning the Levites,sothe sonsof Israeldidto them.
He struckdownsome of the menof Beth-shemeshbecausethey had lookedinto the arkof the LORD.He struckdownof all the people,50070men,and the peoplemournedbecausethe LORDhad struckthe peoplewith a greatslaughter.
