A reading from the Book of Numbers.

On the day when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle,

and had anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings,

and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils,

the chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes,

who were over those who were listed, approached and brought their offerings before the

Lord, six wagons, and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one

an ox.

They brought them before the tabernacle.

Then the Lord said to Moses,

accept these from them,

that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting,

and give them to the Levites to each man according to his service.

So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites.

Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service.

And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service,

under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

But to the sons of Kohath he gave none,

because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder,

and the chiefs offered offerings for the dedication of the altar

on the day it was anointed.

And the chiefs offered their offering before the altar.

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