Our Lord & Savior

The Book of Deuteronomy: Part 2

The Portion of the Priest and Levites

(Deuteronomy 18:1-8)

1 The Levitical priests and the entire tribe of Levi shall not have a portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall subsist on the offerings made by fire to the Lord, which are his inheritance.

2 As such, they shall not receive an inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the Lord is their inheritance, as he has promised them.

3 This is the due of the priests from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep: they are to give the priest the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the stomach.

4 You must also give him the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep.

5 For the Lord your God has chosen him and his descendants from all your tribes to stand and serve in the name of the Lord forever.

6 If a Levite arrives from any of your towns throughout Israel where he resides and comes with all the desire of his heart to the location the Lord will choose,

7 he shall serve in the name of the Lord his God, just as his fellow Levites who stand there before the Lord do.

8 They shall eat equal shares, in addition to what they receive from the sale of family possessions.