47 But the Levites by their fathers' tribe were not numbered with them. 48 For the Lord had said to Moses, 49 Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number in the census of the Israelites. 50 But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its vessels and furnishings and all things that belong to it. They shall carry the tabernacle [when journeying] and all its furnishings, and they shall minister to it and encamp around it. 51 When the tabernacle is to go forward, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And the excluded [any not of the tribe of Levi] who approach the tabernacle shall be put to death. 52 The Israelites shall pitch their tents by their companies, every man by his own camp and every man by his own [tribal] standard. 53 But the Levites shall encamp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath upon the congregation of the Israelites; and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony. 54 Thus did the Israelites; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did.