1These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.

2These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.

4But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

5And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

6"Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.

7They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle.

8They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.

9And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the people of Israel.

10And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death."

11And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

12"Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine,

13for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD."