Numbers 4:4-20

New International Version

⁴ “This is the work^(A) of the Kohathites^(B) at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things.^{(C) 5} When the camp is to move,^(D) Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain^(E) and put it over the ark of the covenant law.^{(F) 6} Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,^[a](G) spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles^(H) in place.

⁷ “Over the table of the Presence^(I) they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings;^(J) the bread that is continually there^(K) is to remain on it. ⁸ They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles^(L) in place.

⁹ “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays,^(M) and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. ¹⁰ Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.^(N)

¹¹ “Over the gold altar^(O) they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles^(P) in place.

¹² “They are to take all the articles^(Q) used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.^(R)

¹³ “They are to remove the ashes^(S) from the bronze altar^(T) and spread a purple cloth over it. ¹⁴ Then they are to place on it all the utensils^(U) used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans,^(V) meat forks,^(W) shovels^(X) and sprinkling bowls.^(Y) Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles^(Z) in place.

¹⁵ “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move,^(AA) only then are the Kohathites^(AB) to come and do the carrying.^(AC) But they must not touch the holy things^(AD) or they will die.^(AE) The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.

¹⁶ “Eleazar^(AF) son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light,^(AG) the fragrant incense,^(AH) the regular grain offering^(AI) and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

¹⁷ The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ¹⁸ “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites. ¹⁹ So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things,^(AJ) do this for them: Aaron and his sons^(AK) are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.^{(AL) 20} But the Kohathites must not go in to look^(AM) at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”