¹² See, I have taken the Levites out of the children of Israel to be mine in place of the first sons of the children of Israel;

⁴¹ And give to me the Levites (I am the Lord) in place of the first sons of the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites in place of the first births among the cattle of the children of Israel.

¹⁶ For they have been given to me from among the children of Israel; in place of every mother's first son, the first to come to birth in Israel, I have taken them for myself.

⁴⁵ Take the Levites in place of all the first sons of the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites in place of their cattle; the Levites are to be mine; I am the Lord.

¹⁸ And in place of the first sons among the children of Israel, I have taken the Levites.

⁶ Now, see, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the children of Israel: they are given to you and to the Lord, to do the work of the Tent of meeting.

² Let the first male child of every mother among the children of Israel be kept holy for me, even the first male birth among man or beast; for it is mine.