Deuteronomy 18:1-8

Contemporary English Version

Special Privileges for Priests and Levites

(Numbers 18.8-32)

Moses said to Israel:

18 The people of the Levi tribe, including the priests, will not receive any land. Instead, they will receive part of the sacrifices that are offered to the Lord, ^2 (A) because he has promised to provide for them in this way.

³ When you sacrifice a bull or sheep, the priests will be given the shoulder, the jaws, and the stomach.^{[a] 4} In addition, they will receive the first part of your grain harvest and part of your first batches of wine and olive oil.^[b] You must also give them the first wool that is cut from your sheep each year. ⁵ Give these gifts to the priests, because the Lord has chosen them and their descendants out of all the tribes of Israel to be his special servants at the place of worship.

⁶ Any Levite can leave his hometown, and go to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshiped, ⁷ and then be a special servant of the Lord^[c] there, just like all the other Levites. ⁸ Some Levites may have money from selling family possessions, and others may not. But all Levites serving at the place of worship will receive the same amount of food from the sacrifices and gifts brought by the people.