⁴¹ Then take the Levites for me—I am the Lord—in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, as well as the Levites’ cattle, in place of all the firstborn among the cattle of the Israelites.

¹⁶ For they, among the Israelites, are totally dedicated to me; I have taken them for myself in place of everyone that opens the womb, the firstborn of all the Israelites.^{(A) 17} Indeed, all the firstborn among the Israelites, human being and beast alike, belong to me; I consecrated them to myself on the day I killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.^{(B) 18} But I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn Israelites;

² Consecrate to me every firstborn; whatever opens the womb among the Israelites,^(A) whether of human being or beast, belongs to me.

^12 (A)you will dedicate to the Lord every newborn that opens the womb; and every firstborn male of your animals will belong to the Lord.

¹⁵ When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, the firstborn of human being and beast alike. That is why I sacrifice to the Lord every male that opens the womb, and why I ransom every firstborn of my sons.’