²⁸ The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification^(A) of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God.

⁵ and said: “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate^(A) yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.