20“You won't possess property in their country, and you won't have a share in their land. I am your share and your possession among the Israelites.
21Instead I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as compensation for the service they provide in doing the work in the Tent of Meeting.
22The Israelites are no longer allowed to approach the Tent of Meeting, or they will commit an offense and die.
23The Levites are to carry out the work in the Tent of Meeting, and they must take responsibility for any sins involved. This is a permanent rule for all future generations. The Levites won't receive a share of land among the Israelites.
24Instead I have given to the Levites as their compensation the tithe that the Israelites give to the Lord as a contribution. That's why I told them that they wouldn't receive a share of land among the Israelites.”
25The Lord told Moses,
26“Talk to the Levites and explain to them, ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you as your compensation, you must return part of it as an offering to the Lord: a tithe of the tithe.
27Your offering will be considered as if it were the firstfruits of grain from your threshing floor or grape juice from the winepress.