8:15. And afterwards they shall enter into the tabernacle of the covenant, to serve me. And thus shalt thou purify and consecrate them for an oblation of the Lord: for as a gift they were given me by the children of Israel. 8:16. I have taken them instead of the firstborn that open every womb in Israel, 8:17. For all the firstborn of the children of Israel, both of men and of beasts, are mine. From the day that I slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, have I sanctified them to myself: 8:18. And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel: 8:19. And have delivered them for a gift to Aaron and his sons out of the midst of the people, to serve me for Israel in the tabernacle of the covenant, and to pray for them, lest there should be a plague among the people, if they should presume to approach unto my sanctuary. 8:20. And Moses and Aaron and all the multitude of the children of Israel did with the Levites all that the Lord had commanded Moses: 8:21. And they were purified, and washed their garments. And Aaron lifted them up in the sight of the Lord, and prayed for them, 8:22. That being purified they might go into the tabernacle of the covenant to do their services before Aaron and his sons. As the Lord had commanded Moses touching the Levites, so was it done. 8:23. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 8:24. This is the law of the Levites: From twenty-five years old and upwards, they shall go in to minister in the tabernacle of the covenant. 8:25. And when they shall have accomplished the fiftieth year of their age, they shall cease to serve: 8:26. And they shall be the ministers of their brethren in the tabernacle of the covenant, to keep the things that are committed to their care, but not to do the works. Thus shalt thou order the Levites touching their charge. Numbers Chapter 9 The precept of the pasch is renewed: the unclean and travellers are to observe it the second month: the camp is guided by the pillar of the cloud. 9:1. The Lord spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first month, saying: 9:2. Let the children of Israel make the phase in its due time, Make the phase.... That is, keep the paschal solemnity, and eat the paschal lamb. 9:3. The fourteenth day of this month in the evening, according to all the ceremonies and justifications thereof. 9:4. And Moses commanded the children of Israel that they should make the phase. 9:5. And they made it in its proper time: the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in mount Sinai. The children of Israel did according to all things that the Lord had commanded Moses. 9:6. But behold some who were unclean by occasion of the soul of a man, who could not make the phase on that day, coming to Moses and Aaron, Behold some who were unclean by occasion of the soul of a man, etc.... That is, by having touched or come near a dead body, out of which the soul was departed.